BARANGAYS ACROSS ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA RECEIVE ₱371.8-M IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Daphne Santuyo

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – Hundreds of barangays throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula are poised to implement more community-based development projects after the national government released ₱371.8 million in financial assistance under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. personally handed over the assistance during a program in Zamboanga City on June 29, highlighting the administration's efforts to bring government resources directly to grassroots communities.

Among those who received the ceremonial checks was Zamboanga Sibugay, represented by Governor Ann K. Hofer together with Liga ng mga Barangay Zamboanga Sibugay Federation President and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ex-Officio Board Member Abdulmukim Musa. They accepted the province's allocation on behalf of all barangays in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The funding package also covered barangays in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga City.

Through the program, every barangay in the region will receive ₱200,000 intended for projects that directly improve community welfare. The assistance may be utilized for priority initiatives identified by barangay officials, including improvements in basic infrastructure, public facilities, disaster preparedness, sanitation, and other development programs responsive to local needs.

The initiative also includes an educational component. Five Presidential Scholars from every barangay will each receive ₱20,000 in educational assistance, providing additional support to deserving students as they pursue their academic goals.

For provinces like Zamboanga Sibugay, where many communities continue to face economic challenges and remain vulnerable to natural calamities, the assistance is expected to strengthen barangay-level governance by providing additional resources for essential programs and services. Local leaders said the funding will allow barangays to immediately address pressing concerns while investing in projects that create long-term benefits for residents.

The direct allocation of funds to barangays reflects the national government's strategy of empowering local governments to become more responsive to the needs of their constituents. By strengthening the capacity of barangays, the frontline units of governance - the program seeks to ensure that development reaches even the most remote communities in the region.

Officials expressed optimism that the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program will accelerate inclusive growth across the Zamboanga Peninsula by improving public services, supporting education, and providing barangays with the resources needed to deliver programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of their constituents.