04/08/2026
The Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) scholarship has reached many communities, and it's worth understanding how the process is meant to work.
Info here - https://philippinescholarships.com/bawat-barangay-makikinabang-scholarship/
Under the program guidelines, each barangay selects five incoming fourth-year college students, who each receive ₱20,000 in educational assistance.
According to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-038, these scholars should be chosen through the barangay's Committee on Education, with priority given to:
✔️Students from low-income households
✔️Those at risk of dropping out
️✔️Families who have yet to produce a college graduate
That's the standard on paper. Some reports suggest the experience on the ground has varied.
In Palawan, Puerto Princesa DILG City Director Dennis Beltran was cited as criticizing the reported use of bunutan, or drawing lots, noting that applicants should instead be assessed by the Committee on Education.
Also according to the Daily Guardian (Mariela Angella Oladive, July 15, 2026), some Iloilo residents raised concerns about rushed submissions and the absence of public announcements about the screening, with a few learning about the scholarship only after the lists were finalized.
We're sharing this to open a fair, honest conversation, not to point fingers.
How was the selection handled in your barangay? Did you see a public announcement and clear qualifications? Share your experience in the comments below.
