• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bacolod has confirmed Sept. 3 that the child of a Barangay Punta Taytay official, who was initially listed as a recipient of the P20,000 presidential scholarship grant under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program, was replaced before the turnover of funds due to conflict of interest.
DILG-Bacolod director Christian Nagaynay said that while the guidelines do not explicitly state that relatives of barangay officials are prohibited from applying, the rules highlight that the selection process must be fully open and transparent.
He added that the scholarship is meant for financially challenged 4th-year graduating students, who are at risk of dropping out without financial support.
“Prior to the distribution, we called another round of meetings with the punong barangays, together with the Liga ng mga Barangay, and we strictly reminded them of the process. We gave them time to revalidate their list before the actual distribution last week,” Nagaynay said.
He said they have also begun monitoring those who are already releasing their scholarship grants, as the requirement mandates that they post the updates on their official Facebook pages and submit signed acknowledgement receipts from the beneficiaries.
Following coordination with Barangay Punta Taytay during the official revalidation period, a revised list was submitted before any cheques were issued.
Several other barangays also updated their beneficiary lists through the Liga ng mga Barangay, though reports involving a relative of a punong barangay remain unconfirmed.
Meanwhile, Punta Taytay punong barangay Cliff Orland Palma defended the original shortlisting process, adding the selection conducted in February strictly followed the criteria set by the Liga ng mga Barangay.
He pointed to a DILG memorandum and statements from the Office of the President, arguing that familial relation to a local official should not automatically disqualify a student, who meets all academic qualifications and demonstrates genuine financial need.
“Our honest and clean service continues for the progress of the youth of Punta Taytay. We ask for everyone’s understanding and unity,” he posted on social media, accompanied by video statements of the five chosen scholars.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, during the distribution of cheques last week, required all participating barangays to submit a certification confirming that no beneficiaries are related to barangay officials or staff. | TMD
