Malacañang on Monday urged officials to avoid politicizing the distribution of government assistance to local government units (LGUs), emphasizing that all barangays (villages) are entitled to receive aid once requirements are met.
“Ang pagbibigay tulong sa ating mga kababayan ay hindi dapat na pinupolitika; walang bida rito kung hindi ang taumbayan (Providing relief to the public should not be politicized. No one deserves the spotlight here but the people),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro made the statement following concerns raised by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, who alleged that dozens of barangays in his district were not included in the recent rollout of financial assistance under the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.
According to Castro, some barangays may not have received funds due to incomplete documentary requirements, which are necessary to ensure compliance with audit rules.
“Hindi po maaaring mabigyan agad-agad ng ayuda kapag walang dokumento dahil magiging subject ito sa COA (Commission on Audit) report (We cannot just give financial aid without the needed documents because this would be subject to COA reports),” she said.
She assured affected barangays that they will still receive assistance once the required documents are completed, stressing that the program does not discriminate based on political affiliation.
“Walang pinipiling kulay dito (We don’t recognize political colors here),” Castro said.
The Palace also expressed concern over reports that some local officials were allegedly discouraged or prevented from participating in the distribution activities.
“Kung totoo po ito, nakakalungkot po, dahil iyong mga kababayan natin na dapat na nabibigyan ng ayuda ay napipigil (If this is true, this is very saddening because our people are being prevented from receiving assistance),” Castro said, calling for coordination among officials to ensure aid reaches intended beneficiaries.
President Ferdinand Marcos R. Jr. earlier led the ceremonial distribution of PHP200,000 in financial assistance to 1,078 barangays in Batangas, sourced from the government’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund.
Under the program, PHP100,000 is allocated for education-related support, including scholarships, while the remaining amount is intended for priority community projects. (PNA)