Isko Moreno vows swift roll-out after Office of the President turns over Manila’s P179.2-M ‘Bawat Barangay Makikinabang’ fund

The Office of the President has turned over the City of Manila’s share of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Socio-Civic Projects Fund to Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso during a meeting at Manila City Hall on Wednesday, May 6.

A representative from the Office of the Executive Secretary formally handed over the cheque to the Mayor.

Domagoso welcomed the funds and pledged swift implementation. “We will make sure to implement it ASAP the way the President wants it, and make sure that the right people will benefit from it through the help of our barangays,” he said.

The Mayor also conveyed his gratitude to the national government on behalf of Manila’s residents. “Please extend our gratitude in behalf of the people of Manila. Malaking bagay ‘to. Lalo ngayon na sana nga humupa na nang tuloy-tuloy yung sa Middle East,” Domagoso said.

The program, as directed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., allocates PhP200,000 to each of the country’s 42,010 barangays nationwide, funded through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund of the Office of the President. Manila’s 896 barangays stand to receive a combined total of PhP179.2 million from the program.

Each barangay’s allocation is divided equally into two components: PhP100,000 for the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholars program, which will provide PhP20,000 in educational assistance each to five incoming fourth-year college students at risk of dropping out, and another PhP100,000 for barangay-identified development priorities such as patrol vehicles, solar street lights, generators, and flood water pumps.

Scholars must be residents of the selecting barangay and come from vulnerable households, with priority given to families where no member has yet completed a college degree. Barangays without eligible fourth-year students may consider third-year students, TESDA scholars with a national certificate, or students in their fifth or sixth year who are graduating in school year 2026-2027.

For the development component, barangays may choose from an approved menu of projects under categories such as public service, administrative, streetlighting, and disaster risk reduction and management. The fund cannot be used for building infrastructure or for paying honoraria and salaries.

Funds will be downloaded directly to barangays upon the execution of a Deed of Donation between the Office of the President and each barangay, with the barangay chairperson acting as the authorized donee.

Barangays are required to submit liquidation documents to their Commission on Audit supervising auditor and a Fund Utilization Report to the Office of the President.