BACOlOD CITY — Barangay 3 in Bacolod City is set to use its ₱100,000 community-project allocation under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program to purchase essential office equipment, including a computer and printer, according to barangay officials.
The decision comes as the national government rolls out financial assistance to barangays nationwide, with the program designed to provide both educational support and funding for community-priority projects.
According to Punong Barangay Leonidas “Bob” Asan, the barangay plans to purchase a computer and printer that will be used in its office operations.
The equipment is expected to help improve the barangay’s day-to-day administrative work, particularly in processing documents and managing records for residents.
The ₱100,000 allocation is only one component of the assistance received by each barangay.
Under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang program, each of Bacolod City’s 61 barangays received ₱200,000. Half—or ₱100,000—is designated for five Presidential Scholars, with each student receiving ₱20,000. The remaining ₱100,000 is intended for a community development project identified by the barangay.
Why Barangay 3 chose office equipment
Asan told Bombo Radyo that Barangay 3 intends to use its project allocation for equipment that the barangay office needs, specifically a printer and computer.
The choice is consistent with how several other Bacolod barangays are planning to spend their project allocations.
The Bacolod City Government reported that Villamonte and Pahanocoy, for example, also identified information-technology upgrades as priorities. Their plans include purchasing laptops and other office equipment to modernize their systems, improve service delivery, and strengthen the management and protection of barangay records.
A July report by Negros Now Daily similarly noted that many Bacolod barangays planned to use the ₱100,000 community-project component for items such as computers, printers, monobloc chairs, CCTV cameras and patrol vehicles, depending on their local priorities.
Scholarship selection also part of the program
Barangay 3’s other ₱100,000 allocation is intended for five scholars.
Asan said he had initially wanted the barangay to conduct an examination for the selection of beneficiaries, but the limited time available prevented that process. Instead, the barangay selected students considered to be among those most in need, including students whose parents could no longer work because of circumstances such as illness or accidents.
The approach reflects the broader purpose of the program, which provides ₱20,000 each to five students per barangay.
In Bacolod alone, the program covered all 61 barangays, with the city receiving a total of ₱12.2 million and supporting 305 scholars. The city government said the funds were formally distributed during a turnover ceremony on August 27, 2026.
₱200,000 per barangay nationwide
The BBM program is being implemented nationwide through Presidential Assistance to Barangays.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that each barangay receives ₱200,000, divided between scholarship assistance and a development-priority project. In Negros Occidental, 601 barangays received assistance, while the national program covers 42,011 barangays.
The program is funded through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, under the Local Government Support Fund mechanism.
Accountability rules remain in place
The release of the funds also comes with accountability requirements.
The Bacolod City Government said barangays must publicly post information regarding the assistance and submit fund-utilization reports every 30 days for community projects. Barangay officials are also required to certify that scholarship beneficiaries are not relatives of incumbent barangay officials.
For Barangay 3, the immediate priority is straightforward: turn the ₱100,000 project allocation into equipment that can improve the barangay office’s ability to serve residents.
The bigger test, however, will be how effectively the new equipment is used—and whether the investment translates into faster, more efficient and more accessible barangay services for the people of Barangay 3.
Leave a Reply