The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cordillera reminded barangay officials in Apayao on Monday to award scholarships under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program based on eligibility requirements and not political affiliations.

DILG-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribay said the scholarship should benefit qualified residents and should not be used 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 (We know that the barangay election is approaching, but this should not be used by the officials to solicit votes because there is a criteria of who should benefit from it,” Maribay said.

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

Maribay said the guidelines set by the National Liga ng mga Barangay provide that scholarship beneficiaries should be graduating college students who need financial assistance to complete their education.

He said the DILG would monitor the use of the funds to ensure that they are properly utilized.

“We are tasked to monitor so they should use the money objectively and not use it for political gains,” Maribay said

He added that the barangays must comply with the prescribed timeline for the utilization of the funds. (PNA)