ILOILO CITY, July 14 -- The national government's Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program will provide PHP200,000 to each barangay, with half of the grant earmarked to help support college scholars and the rest allocated for community priority projects, officials said Tuesday.

National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Lope Santos III said the program is an investment in education and community development, not a cash dole-out.

Speaking during a media forum, Santos said the scholarship component is expected to help about 200,000 graduating college students nationwide complete their studies and eventually join the labor force.

The remaining PHP100,000 for each barangay will fund projects identified by local officials, such as the purc...