By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Over P12 billion worth of government services and some P5 billion in financial assistance were distributed to nearly two million beneficiaries during the first year of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Speaking at the BPSF Agency Summit 2024 in Pasay City on Monday, Marcos hailed the successful program for bringing government services closer to the people.
“Patunay lamang ito na marami tayong magagawa sa bayan basta tayo’y nagkakaisa. Kaya nating baguhin, pabilisin, at ilapit sa mga mamamayan ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan,” Marcos said in his speech.
“Sabi nga nila, basta gugustuhin natin, magagawan natin ng paraan. Iyan ang tinatawag na asikasong Pinoy. I-apply natin ngayon sa pamahalaan,” he added.
The country’s biggest government service caravan has been held in 21 provinces nationwide within the past year.
Aside from the provision of financial, social, and livelihood assistance as well as capacity-building programs, Marcos said the government was also able to provide various frontline services such as birth certificate and Social Security System (SSS) registration; loan applications; driver’s license application and renewal; National Bureau of Investigation clearance application; and passport services.
The President added that free medical checkup, vaccines, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) registration were also provided at BPSF caravans.
Marcos commended the local government units and other partners for making the inaugural year of BPSF a huge success.
He also assured that the BPSF caravan will reach the remaining 61 provinces in the country, adding that the government will also establish service centers to ensure the continuity of the program.