By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental provincial government and 31 other local government units (LGUs), including Bacolod City, are set to receive a combined P2.04 billion this year under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang (BBM) program of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government alone will receive P342 million, while the remaining funds will be distributed among component cities and municipalities to support rice distribution initiatives and priority infrastructure projects.
Lacson said the province’s mayors have already been informed of their respective allocations.
He added that the funding will be sourced from the Local Government Support Fund, with each LGU directly receiving financial assistance once requirements are uploaded to the system.
A coordination meeting to explain the BBM program was held in Bacolod City over the weekend, hosted by 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez and attended by Lacson, the province’s mayors, and former Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone.
The meeting took place at the residence of Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Lacson said Evardone was designated by the Office of the President to brief local officials on the guidelines and objectives of the BBM program.
He noted that Negros Occidental was chosen as Evardone’s first provincial visit due to the strong cooperation among local leaders.
“Negros Occidental was his first stop because we are united here. There are no conflicts among the governor, congressmen, and mayors, making it easier to discuss programs,” Lacson said, adding that this unity left a positive impression on Malacañang.
Under the program, 50 percent of the funds will be allocated for rice distribution to assist residents, while the remaining 50 percent will finance infrastructure projects such as road improvements, water systems, and multipurpose buildings.
Lacson emphasized that LGUs are given flexibility in determining how best to utilize their allocations based on local needs./CJ, WDJ