Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday turned over PHP82 million in financial assistance to all villages in Sulu province and distributed rice aid to thousands of beneficiaries as part of the administration's "Bawat Bayan Makikinabang" program. Speaking at Sultan Jamalul Kiram Central School in Barangay Lawm, Maimbung, Marcos said the assistance package forms part of the government's effort to deliver support directly to local communities and prevent vulnerable families from slipping deeper into poverty.

According to Philippines News Agency, the President led the ceremonial turnover of financial assistance under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) to the provincial government and the provincial federation of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC). Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan III and provincial ABC officials received the ceremonial check. Under the SCPF, each of Sulu's 410 barangays will receive PHP200,000 in financial assistance.

Marcos said PHP100,000 from each barangay allocation would be earmarked for educational assistance benefiting five scholars per village. The remaining PHP100,000 is left to the discretion of barangay officials to address local needs, as they are deemed to understand their community's challenges best. These funds may be utilized for priority community projects and local development initiatives.

Furthermore, Marcos led the distribution of rice assistance under the Local Government Support Fund, benefiting around 3,000 residents identified as poor and near-poor households. Each beneficiary received a 10-kilogram sack of rice. The President emphasized the importance of these efforts in preventing families from falling below the poverty line and assured residents that the assistance program would continue throughout the year. Beneficiaries are promised rice distribution six times annually, ensuring continued support for needy households.