TARLAC CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program at the Tarlac City Civic Center on 30 July, aimed at strengthening and accelerating national government support for local government units (LGUs).

The launch came after Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SoNA), with the national government having directly disbursed P22.22 billion to 266 LGUs as of June 2026. Assistance to barangays was further expanded through the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) of the Office of the President (OP).

Under the program, barangays will receive P100,000 for development and safety projects, while another P100,000 will be allocated for five Presidential Scholars.

As of 2 July, the government had released P4.69 billion to 23,431 barangays, with the rollout to the remaining barangays continuing.

During the event, Marcos interacted with Presidential Scholars from Tarlac and witnessed the ongoing distribution of rice under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

He also led the turnover of an SCPF financial assistance check amounting to P102.2 million for 511 barangays in Tarlac.

BBM inspects Sual fish port

Marcos also inspected the newly rehabilitated Sual Fish Port Complex in Sual, Pangasinan as part of his administration’s efforts to improve fish port infrastructure and strengthen the country’s fisheries sector.

The Sual Fish Port Complex, the only regional fish port in Northern Luzon, features fish processing and cold storage facilities, a multipurpose pier, commercial building and access road. The upgraded facility is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, expand market access for fisherfolk and help ensure a steady supply of fish.

During the visit, Marcos also met with crew members of Philippine fishing and fisheries vessels involved in the 24 July confrontation with Chinese Coast Guard ships near Bajo de Masinloc, or Scarborough Shoal.

The Chinese vessels reportedly used water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels during a humanitarian mission to deliver fuel subsidies and food packs to local fishermen.

Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III welcomed Marcos, who was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority General Manager Glen Pangapalan.

Guico also joined Marcos in launching the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, allowing qualified fisherfolk and other beneficiaries to buy rice at P20 per kilo.