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Officials Urge Public to Speak Up About abuse in Presidential Scholarship Program
Malacañang has urged the public to report any abuse in the implementation of the government’s Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship program, particularly cases where barangay officials favor relatives or friends over students who are genuinely in need. Each beneficiary under the program receives ₱20,000 in educational assistance.
The call was issued after a barangay in Bago City, Negros Oriental, posted on Facebook that one of its five presidential scholarship recipients was the daughter of the incumbent barangay chairwoman, prompting questions from residents and social media users over whether the barangay followed fair and transparent selection criteria.
If you want to understand how the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship selection process works and where to report concerns, here is what you need to know.
READ: Cebu City Offers ₱20,000 Bagong Pilipinas Scholarships to 400 Students.
What is the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship?
The Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship, formally under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, is a government initiative launched in April 2026 that allocates ₱8 billion in subsidies to more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, intended to help communities cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis.
Each barangay receives ₱200,000 in financial assistance, divided as follows:
- Half (₱100,000) goes toward priority projects listed in a menu of options, such as street lights, patrol vehicles, CCTVs to promote safety, or power generators to supply electricity to health centers and evacuation centers during disasters.
- Half (₱100,000) funds a “finisher program” for college seniors, intended to help ensure that economic disruptions do not derail or delay their graduation.
The finisher program is expected to benefit up to 200,000 scholars nationwide, with each beneficiary receiving ₱20,000 in educational assistance.
The funding comes from the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF), administered by the Office of the Executive Secretary under the Office of the President (OP), to provide a rapid, immediate response to community needs.
Who qualifies as a beneficiary?
According to Undersecretary Claire Castro, Palace press officer, the government already has a mechanism in place for selecting beneficiaries. Under the program, beneficiaries must be:
- Graduating college students
- Students at risk of dropping out because they lack funds to continue their education
Castro clarified that being related to a barangay official does not automatically disqualify a student from receiving assistance. She cautioned against judging students based solely on social media posts without knowing the full circumstances, stating that as long as a student is deserving and meets the requirements, they may still qualify as a beneficiary.
How are scholars selected?
Scholars under the program are selected by barangay officials, together with the Sangguniang Barangay’s education committee. The Office of the President, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Liga ng mga Barangay also work with barangays in implementing the program.
How to Report Abuse in the Presidential Scholarship Program?
Malacañang has encouraged the public to report cases of abuse or favoritism in the selection of scholarship beneficiaries. According to Castro, complaints may be brought to any of the following:
- Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas national office
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Office of the President (OP)
- Presidential Communications Office (PCO)
“We welcome and accept these kinds of complaints because we need to make sure that the assistance being provided by the president, the national government, and our local government units reaches deserving beneficiaries,” Castro said.
Important: The government has emphasized that its priority is ensuring the assistance reaches students who are truly deserving and in need, rather than automatically disqualifying applicants connected to local officials. Complaints are meant to address cases of favoritism or unfair selection, not to penalize students purely for being related to a barangay official.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Public urged to report abuse in presidential scholarship program
Frequently Asked Questions
How much financial assistance does each scholar receive under the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship?
Each beneficiary receives ₱20,000 in educational assistance under the program’s finisher component.
Who is eligible for the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholarship?
Graduating college students who are at risk of dropping out due to lack of funds are eligible, as selected by barangay officials and the Sangguniang Barangay’s education committee.
Where can I report abuse or favoritism in the selection process?
Complaints may be filed with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas national office, the DILG, the Office of the President, or the Presidential Communications Office.
Does being related to a barangay official automatically disqualify a student from the scholarship?
No. According to Malacañang, being related to a barangay official does not automatically disqualify a student, as long as the student is genuinely deserving and meets the program’s requirements.
How much total funding was allocated under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program?
The program allocated ₱8 billion in subsidies to more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, with ₱200,000 given to each barangay – half for community projects and half for the college finisher program.
How many scholars is the program expected to benefit nationwide?
The finisher program component is expected to benefit up to 200,000 college senior scholars nationwide.
