By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of around P113 million in financial assistance to 565 villages in three Davao Region provinces under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund.
During the launching of the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, President Marcos Jr. said the initiative aims to ensure that government community assistance reaches communities at the grassroots level while allowing local officials to address the most urgent needs of their respective constituents.
President Marcos Jr. addressed the beneficiaries, “Ang pamahalaan ninyo ay nandito. Hindi kayo nakakalimutan kahit kayo ay, kayo ay nasa malayong lugar, ay nandito po kami. Ginagawa po namin ang lahat.”
The assistance benefitted 237 villages in Davao de Oro, 223 villages in Davao del Norte, and 105 villages in Davao Occidental.
Under the program, each village received P200,000, with P100,000 allocated for the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholars Program and the remaining P100,000 intended for priority community development projects identified by village officials.
The President said the scholarship aims to help students, particularly those nearing graduation, complete their education through P20,000 in financial aid for each beneficiary. He likewise urged village officials and student beneficiaries to maximize the support provided by the program.
“Gamitin ninyo nang mabuti itong pondong ito. Take advantage. Pagsamantalahan ninyo na meron tayong pondo na maibigay at mag-aral kayo nang mabuti.”
Collaborative efforts
President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of strong coordination between the national government and local government units to ensure that public services and development programs reach the communities.
He said good national government programs and services would not be fully felt by the people without effective cooperation between national and local governments.
The President said, “Nakita ko ang halaga ng local government at kung ano ang kayang gawin ng ating mga local government mula sa gobernador hanggang sa mayor hanggang sa barangay opisyal,
Kapag hindi maganda ang naging ugnayan sa local government at saka sa national government, ay hindi rin mararamdaman ng tao ‘yung mga serbisyong ‘yan, ‘yung mga benepisyong iyan.”
President Marcos Jr. also reaffirmed his commitment to provide additional funding for the program, if it turns out to be successful. He said he would seek support from Congress to expand the initiative, provided that the assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries.
He assured local governments of the national government’s continued partnership and support, Ang inyong pamahalaan ay hindi lang nag-uutos sa inyo na ito ‘yung gagawin ninyo, ganyan ang gagawin ninyo
Kaya’t kung meron kayong mga hinain, meron kayong mga inaalala, meron kayong nakitang maganda na sa palagay ninyo ay dapat gawin, sabihin n’yo po kami.” (PNA)
