Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Palace on Monday refuted the claim of Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste that not all barangays were invited to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.</p><p>Marcos visited Batangas province last Friday to distribute P200,000 financial aid to barangays, but Leviste claimed 84 barangays from his district were not invited.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/24/marcos-vows-expanded-bawat-bayan-makikinabang-program-2048">Marcos vows expanded ‘Bawat Bayan Makikinabang’ program</a></div><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/24/leviste-wants-op-to-investigate-alleged-discrimination-in-local-government-aid-1758">Leviste then asked the Office of the President</a> to investigate the reported discrimination in the implementation of programs for financial aid to local governments.</p><p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the program was not selective, but some barangays failed to comply with documentary requirements.</p><p>&quot;Sa ating pagkakaalam at sa sinabi sa atin, may mga barangays daw na hindi kinumpleto ang mga documents at hindi po maaaring mabigyan agad-agad ng ayuda kapag walang dokumento dahil magiging subject ito sa COA report,&quot; Castro said.</p><p>The Palace Press Officer said barangays could still avail of the financial aid upon the completion of the needed documents.</p><p>&quot;Iyong mga barangays na hindi nakapagsumite, hindi pinagsumite, pinilit na huwag magsumite ng dokumento ay huwag po silang mawalan ng pag-asa dahil ang sabi ng Pangulo, bawat bayan makikinabang, bawat barangay makikinabang,&quot; Castro said.</p><p>&quot;So, kung mayroon po kayong kinakailagang mga dokumentong makumpleto, ikumpleto po ninyong lahat iyan at huwag po kayong magpadala sa pulitika. Lahat po kayo makakatanggap ng ayuda,&quot; she added.</p><p>Leviste has filed a resolution at the House of Representatives urging the Office of the President to conduct the probe.</p><p>&quot;Walang pinipiling kulay dito, lahat po kayo ay bibigyan ng ayuda,&quot; Castro said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/leviste-files-libel-complaint-vs-palace-s-castro-1004">Leviste files libel complaint vs Palace’s Castro</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/23/leviste-denies-admitting-to-causing-castro-sleepless-nights-and-anxiety-1729">Leviste denies admitting to causing Castro ‘sleepless nights and anxiety’</a></div><p>Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said checks for barangays in Nasugbu were already prepared for release but remained unclaimed due to non-attendance during the handover. </p><p>In Taal, delays were due to the non-submission of required documents. Some barangays in Lipa, Batangas City, Calaca City, Tanauan, Lobo, Sta. Teresita, and Mabini also had incomplete requirements.</p><p>“Kung may hindi pa nakatatanggap, ito ay dahil sa kakulangan sa dokumento, hindi dahil sa pulitika. Sa sandaling makumpleto ang requirements, darating ang suporta. Ganito kasimple,” Recto said in a statement.</p><p>Under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, each barangay receives P200,000, half of which may be used for development and safety projects such as street lighting, patrol vehicles, CCTVs, and power generators for health centers and evacuation facilities.</p><p>The remaining P100,000 will fund a “finisher program” for graduating college students to ensure that their education is not disrupted by economic shocks, including those stemming from global crises. The program is expected to support up to 200,000 students at risk of dropping out.</p><p>In Batangas, 980 out of 1,078 barangays have received the support while the rest will be released upon receipt and review of their complete documents. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DS5Yq_tru14?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Palace on Monday refuted the claim of Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste that not all barangays were invited to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.</p>

The Palace on Monday refuted the claim of Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste that not all barangays were invited to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.

Palace denies Leviste's claim, says Batangas aid was not politicized

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Regions

Palace denies Leviste's claim, says Batangas aid was not politicized

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 27, 2026 03:22 PM PHT

|

Updated April 27, 2026 03:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Bawat Bayan Makikinabang

Leandro Leviste

Palace

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.