153 Kalinga barangays get ₱30.6M: P200K each for scholars and community projects

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — All 153 barangays in Kalinga received ₱200,000 each, or a combined ₱30.6 million, under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program (BBMP) during the Handog ng Pangulo 2026 held at the Kalinga Sports Center on Monday, September 14.

The financial assistance is intended to support college students and priority projects identified by the respective barangays.

Under the program guidelines, each barangay’s ₱200,000 allocation will be divided equally between scholarship assistance and barangay priority projects.

Of the allocation, ₱100,000 will be used to provide financial assistance to five deserving and outstanding incoming fourth-year college students.

Each qualified scholar will receive ₱20,000 to help cover educational expenses and support them in completing their studies.

The scholarship component is intended for financially vulnerable fourth-year college students who may be at risk of not completing their studies due to financial constraints.

Priority is also given to students from families where no member has yet earned a college degree.

The Barangay Council, through its Committee on Education, will identify the five qualified scholars based on the eligibility requirements under the program.

The remaining ₱100,000 will fund priority projects identified by each Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU).

Eligible projects may include public services, administrative and office equipment, street lighting, and disaster risk reduction and management initiatives, depending on the needs of each barangay.

With all 153 barangays receiving the assistance, Kalinga’s BLGUs received a total of ₱30.6 million under the program.

The BBMP is funded through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund of the Office of the President.

The ceremonial distribution was led by Department of Education Undersecretary Fatima Lipp D. Panontongan, Governor James S. Edduba, Vice Governor Dave Odiem, DILG-Kalinga Provincial Director Mayer Max Adong, and other provincial and local officials.

The Handog ng Pangulo 2026 also brought various government services and assistance closer to Kalinga residents as part of activities marking the birthday of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Following the release of the funds, the barangays are expected to proceed with the identification of qualified scholars and priority projects in accordance with the program guidelines and applicable government requirements.