Cebu: The Marcos administration has delivered around PHP339.8 million in development funds to Cebu province for infrastructure and social development projects. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto led the distribution of development funds as part of government efforts to bring services closer to communities, according to a statement released by his office on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) announced that approximately PHP265 million under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was handed over to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Thursday through a Special Allotment Release Order. The allocation is intended to finance the province's critical projects in energy, healthcare, and farm-to-market road initiatives.

Recto also spearheaded the distribution of rice assistance to about 3,200 beneficiaries, including fisherfolk, solo parents, and senior citizens. Beyond the PHP265 million received by the provincial government, around PHP20 million sourced from the LGSF was also allocated to the municipal government of Cordova to support its infrastructure projects.

Moreover, Recto turned over PHP54.8 million under the Socio-Civic Project Fund (SCPF) to nine local government units in Alcoy, Aloguinsan, Balamban, Daanbantayan, Danao, Medellin, Toledo, Pinamungajan, and Sogod. He also engaged with presidential scholars, each set to receive PHP20,000 in educational assistance.

Through the SCPF, each village is allocated PHP200,000, with half of the amount designated to support five presidential scholars and the remaining funds for its priority projects. "While this assistance provides immediate relief, it's a small part of the services funded by the National Government," Recto stated. "Local and national governments are united, and we will work together so our countrymen here in Cebu will benefit," he added.