MORE than 200,000 college students across the Philippines are set to receive scholarships under the administration’s “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” initiative.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, funding for the program will come from the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, which allocates P200,000 to each barangay. Half of this amount, or P100,000, will be used to support five Presidential Scholars per barangay.

Each selected scholar will receive P20,000 in educational assistance, aimed at helping young Filipinos gain access to quality education and skills training.

In his message during the rollout event at the General Trias Sports Park in Barangay Santiago, General Trias City, Cavite, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the program’s broad reach.

“Bawat barangay, makakatulong tayo ng limang scholar… With approximately 42,000 barangays in the Philippines, lampas-lampas na ng 200,000 ang magiging presidential scholar,” the President said.

He also underscored the enduring value of education, encouraging students to pursue their studies with dedication.

“Kapag maganda ang naging edukasyon mo, nag-aral kayo nang mabuti, napakabigat na kayamanan ‘yan na nasa sa inyo. At kahit ano pang mangyari, hindi na makukuha ‘yan sa inyo,” he said.

“Hindi puwedeng agawin, hindi puwedeng nanakawin, hindi puwedeng kunin sa inyo ‘yan—‘yang edukasyon na ‘yan,” he added.