ILOILO — A total of P344.2 million in Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) assistance for all 1,721 barangays in Iloilo province will take center stage during this year’s Liga Day 2026, where a record-breaking 15,500 barangay officials are expected to converge at the Iloilo Sports Complex on July 19.
The ceremonial distribution of checks under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” Program is expected to be the highlight of the annual gathering, which carries the theme “Kusog sang Kabarangayan, Kusog sang Probinsya kag Kabanwahanan.”
Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo Province president and ex-officio Provincial Board member Amalia Victoria Debuque said this year’s turnout is expected to surpass expectations and could even be the largest Liga Day gathering ever in the province.
“Last year, we were able to gather around 13,000 barangay officials, so this year nakibot kami sang nag-open kami sang registration. Naglab-ot kita sa 15,500,” Debuque said.
The event’s main highlight will be the ceremonial release of SCPF checks to all barangays.
Under the SCPF, each barangay will receive P200,000, half of which, or P100,000, has been earmarked to support five Presidential Scholars per barangay. Each scholar will receive P20,000 in educational assistance.
Expected to attend the gathering are Cong. Janette Garin (1st District), Cong. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta (2nd District), Cong. Lorenz Defensor (3rd District), Cong. Ferjenel Biron (4th District), Cong. Binky April Tupas (5th District), Cong. James “Jojo” Ang (Uswag Ilonggo party-list), Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, and Department of Interior and Local Government – Iloilo provincial director Dino Ponsaran.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay national president Jessica Dy, and League of Cities of the Philippines president and San Juan City mayor Francis Zamora have also been invited.
The afternoon program will feature the “Bida ka sa Liga Live Showdown”, including comedy performances, raffle draws, a live performance by Rivermaya, and awarding ceremonies.
With thousands of participants expected, Debuque said organizers have coordinated with Iloilo City’s Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu for traffic management, requested ambulant vendors to set up near the venue, and worked with the Iloilo City Police Office and Iloilo Provincial Police Office to ensure security. She appealed for public understanding regarding possible traffic congestion around the sports complex./PN
