Promising greater financial support in the next national budget, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. put local government officials on notice Friday: performance will determine how much more they receive.
“If the results are good, you can expect that in the next budget, we will allocate even more funds for this,” Marcos said during the Batangas City event.
The President framed expanded funding not as a guarantee but as a conditional reward tied to how well national and local governments execute ongoing assistance programs.
“The success and failure of these programs depend on how well we work together — the unity between the national government and local governments. If we do our jobs well, the people will see the results,” he said.
Over 235,000 Batangueños are in line to receive rice subsidies under a distribution program covering farmers, fisherfolk, and teachers — each getting 10 kilograms across six cycles throughout the year. The effort is aimed at cushioning the effects of rising food prices while supporting local agriculture and national food security.
Beyond food assistance, Marcos led the turnover of P200,000 in Local Government Support Fund aid to each of Batangas’ 1,078 barangays. Half of the amount is earmarked for capital outlay — covering patrol vehicles, equipment, tents, CCTV systems, and streetlights — while the other half goes toward educational assistance.
Each barangay will sponsor five presidential scholars, each receiving P20,000 in educational aid.
“We will continue to do this, and I’m telling all of you — do not think this is a one-time effort. But I also return the challenge to you — our government officials and our local governments — do your best in implementing these programs,” Marcos said in Filipino.
