President Marcos has committed to increase the fund intended for local government units (LGUs) to allow them to expand their programs.

Marcos said he will make this possible if he sees that the programs undertaken by every LGU and barangay using the financial support are implemented properly and effectively.

The President made the statement during his visit in Batangas City on Friday, April 23, to witness the distribution of rice under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), observe the ongoing orientation of Presidential Scholars under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF), and lead the turnover of SCPF financial assistance to Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Presidents.

In his speech, he assured the local leaders and the people of Batangas that the initiative is "not a one-time effort." 

He urged local officials to implement the programs properly in order to gain increased funding next year.

"Pag sa ating mga government officials, sa ating mga local government, pagbutihan ninyo itong ginagawa nating mga programang ito (To our government officials and our local governments, do your best in implementing these programs)," Marcos told them.

"Pag maganda ang maging resulta nito, asahan ninyo sa susunod na budget, lalakihan pa namin ang pondo para dito (If the results turn out well, you can expect that in the next budget, we will increase the funding for them)," he added.

The President reminded them that "the success or failure of these programs depends upon our working together well." ‘

"At kung maayos ang maging trabaho natin, makikita ng tao ‘yan. At masasabi natin ay maganda pala ito. Dagdagan natin ng pondo para mas malawak pa, mas marami pa tayong matutulungan, mas marami pang magkakaroon ng benepisyo dito sa ating ginagawa (And if we do our work properly, people will see it. We’ll be able to say that this is good. Let’s increase the funding so it can reach more people, so we can help more, and so more individuals can benefit from what we are doing)," Marcos said.

During his visit, the Chief Executive also addressed students in the city, letting them know of the scholarship program offered by each barangay.

According to him, of the P200,000 financial support given to barangays, half of it will go to a scholarship program that would fund five qualified scholars.

The initiative is under the "Bawat Baryan Makikinabang"— an initiative aimed at strengthening LGUs through increased financial support to help them respond more effectively to the needs and concerns of their communities.

"Malaking bagay dahil hindi magiging sikat ang Pilipinas kung hindi sikat ang ating mga kabataan at nakikita ko naman na malaki at maganda  ang pag-asa ng Pilipinas kapag kayo, ang mga susunod (It’s a big deal, because the Philippines won’t become well-known if our youth are not recognized. And I can see that the country has great and promising hope with the next generation)," Marcos said.

"At ito ay isang maliit lamang na bagay na maitulong namin para naman matiyak natin na kayo nga, mga qualified at mga deserving students ay makakapagtapos (And this is just a small way for us to help, to make sure that you, qualified and deserving students, are able to finish your studies)," he added.