Over 8,700 barangays nationwide have already benefited from the administration’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues the nationwide rollout of direct assistance programs, Malacañang said Monday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the initiative continues to expand in different parts of the country.

“Batay sa pinakahuling tala, mayroon nang mahigit 8,700 na barangay sa ilalim nito at tuloy-tuloy ang pag-abot sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa (Based on the latest records, more than 8,700 barangays are already covered under the program and the rollout continues in different parts of the country),” Castro said.

She added that the initiative reflects the administration’s continuing effort to bring government aid directly to communities.

“Hindi natutulog, hindi nagbabakasyon na pamahalaan… kundi nakikinig at umaaksyon (The government is not sleeping or taking a vacation, but listening and acting),” Castro said, echoing the President’s message during the event.

The “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program was launched on Feb. 23, 2026, and has since expanded across several provinces and cities, including Eastern Visayas, Cagayan, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Pasay, Makati and Manila.

Under the initiative, barangays receive PHP200,000 financial assistance through various programs, half of which or PHP100,000, will be allotted for educational aid to presidential scholars, with five students set to receive PHP20,000 apiece.

With over 42,000 barangays nationwide, more than 210,000 students nationwide will receive educational aid under the program.

Meanwhile, 10 kilograms of rice are also being distributed to the most vulnerable under the expanded Local Government Support Fund rice assistance program aimed at improving food security and accelerating aid delivery at the community level.

The rice distribution will be done every two months to ensure those in need would continue to receive relief from the government. (PNA)