Batangas City, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Batangas City has issued an official statement regarding the allegations that they are selecting only the barangays that would receive ₱200,000 under the Socio-Civic Project Funds (SCPF) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It also denied claims of alleged interference by Governor Vilma Santos in the distribution of aid, stressing that such matters are no longer within the scope of the governor’s office.
According to the provincial government, the processing, evaluation, and approval of documents for the SCPF distribution to each barangay do not pass through the governor’s office.
However, this explanation from the Provincial Government contradicts the statements of 84 barangay captains who were not invited and did not receive the ₱200,000 aid during the distribution held on April 24.
During a press conference led by Batangas City 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste together with the said officials, they expressed their willingness to appear before Congress and testify regarding the alleged discrimination they experienced.
They said the situation appeared unfair to their barangays, especially since their exclusion from the aid distribution was allegedly due to Gov. Vilma Santos’ “rift” toward them.
They also claimed that their documents for the ₱200,000 SCPF were complete, contrary to reports that they had failed to submit requirements.
Despite repeated coordination with some close aides of the governor and expectations of receiving the checks for the aid, they said they have not received anything up to now.
In screenshots made public by Leviste, a new group chat of barangays across Batangas was shown, excluding the 84 barangays.
The GC he said was allegedly created by staff of Gov. Vilma Santos.
At present, the 84 barangays are set to directly submit their requirements to Malacañang in order to receive the aid.
However, while awaiting approval, the congressman said he will temporarily shoulder the ₱200,000 allocation for each barangay, amounting to more than ₱16 million.
He also called on both the House of Representatives and the Senate to investigate the issue surrounding the ₱200,000 aid.
Meanwhile, based on the provincial government’s statement, 980 out of 1,078 barangays have already received the ₱200,000 aid under the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program of the President.
The remaining barangays who have not yet received assistance may have failed to attend the distribution or complete the required documents.
The province also emphasized that baseless allegations against them, especially those linking the issue to politics, are not true.
They stressed that the Office of Governor Vilma Santos strictly follows the process and guidelines set by the Office of the President.
The provincial government also called on all concerned officials to stop politicizing the issue and avoid dragging government programs intended for the public.
It maintained that its implementation of programs across barangays remains fair, fast, transparent, and inclusive.
It can be recalled that the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program was first launched in Batangas City by President Marcos.
Where ₱100,000 is allocated for barangay scholars, and the remaining ₱100,000 is intended for priority barangay projects.