Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cordillera has issued a reminder to barangay officials in Apayao to ensure that scholarships under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program are awarded based on eligibility requirements rather than political affiliations.

According to Philippines News Agency, DILG-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribay emphasized that the scholarships should benefit qualified residents and should not be exploited for the upcoming barangay elections. "Alam natin malapit na ang barangay election pero hindi dapat na gamitin ito ng mga barangay officials sa kanila para makakuha ng boto, may criteria and dapat na makakuha nito," Maribay stated, highlighting the importance of adhering to the criteria for selecting beneficiaries.

Under the BBM program, each of the 136 barangays in Apayao's seven municipalities received PHP200,000. Of this amount, PHP100,000 is designated for scholarships for five students, with each student receiving PHP20,000. The remaining PHP100,000 is allocated for an immediate priority project of the barangay.

Maribay noted that guidelines set by the National Liga ng mga Barangay specify that scholarship recipients should be graduating college students in need of financial assistance to complete their education. He affirmed that the DILG would monitor the funds to ensure their proper usage.

"We are tasked to monitor so they should use the money objectively and not use it for political gains," Maribay added. He also stressed the requirement for barangays to adhere to the prescribed timeline for fund utilization.