By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. celebrated its first anniversary this month by rolling out a total of P1.26 billion worth of “mega” government services and financial aid to some 253,000 Eastern Visayas beneficiaries—the largest so far in the history of the service caravan.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the main proponent of the BPSF, said he is “very happy” with what the government program has accomplished so far, considering that the Serbisyo Caravan in Tacloban City from Friday to Saturday is its 21st iteration since the program began last year.
“Sobrang proud na proud kami sa programang ito ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. dahil napakarami nating naabot na kababayan natin sa malalayong probinsiya. Ito naman talaga ang esensya ng Bagong Pilipinas campaign ng ating Pangulo, ang ilapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga tao,” Romualdez said during the caravan’s opening program held at the Leyte Sports Development Center Grandstand in Tacloban City on Friday.
“At ako’y naniniwala na natupad natin at patuloy na matutupad ang ninanais na ito ng ating Pangulo. Dadalhin natin ang Mega Serbisyo Fair na ito sa buong bansa. Dalangin natin ay mapuntahan ng BPSF ang lahat ng 82 na lalawigan ng Pilipinas, para lahat ay nakaranas kung paano inilapit ng administrasyon ni PBBM ang serbisyo publiko sa lahat ng tao,” he added.
He bared that this BPSF was region-wide—another milestone for the program—with the main Serbisyo Fair being held in Tacloban, and other mini-BPSFs simultaneously held in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran.
“So, this really is a BPSF for Eastern Visayas. Para na rin itong thanksgiving celebrations natin kasi nakaisang taon tayong naghahatid ng direktang serbisyo at ayuda para sa ating mga kababayan sa malalayong lugar,” Romualdez said.
House Deputy Secretary-General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada, one of the top officials of the BPSF, said a total of 56 national government agencies participated in the region-wide service caravan with over 328 services offered to more than 253,000 beneficiaries in all provinces in Eastern Visayas.
Of the total P1.26 billion worth of programs and services rolled out, P807 million were in the form of cash assistance.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted cash aid to more than 140,000 individuals across the region.
Other region-wide activities include various scholarship programs of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), consisting of livelihood assistance and opportunities for various sectors of pre-identified eligible clients.
The BPSF in Tacloban was also the largest in terms of the number of government officials who attended, with 241 members of the House of Representatives, 12 governors, three vice governors, nine mayors, and 16 high officials from the Executive Department present.
“Thank you to everyone who has made the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair a success. Your dedication and hard work are the driving force behind this initiative. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for all Filipinos,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, a Pagkakaisa Concert, expected to draw a large crowd of 50,000 spectators, is scheduled Friday night at the RTR Plaza in Tacloban City with free admission.
More funding
Meanwhile, Romualdez assured more funding for the programs and projects under the BPSF in the 2025 national budget to ensure that President Marcos’ flagship public service program continues to deliver government services directly to the people and reach more Filipinos across the country.
The legislative body will begin deliberations on the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, which includes allocations for programs and services to help the people.
Romualdez said the House will work to ensure more funds are given to programs and services essential to the component of BPSF, such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels, Driver’s License registration/assistance, among others.
“Araw-araw, gabi-gabi ay magtatrabaho ang inyong Kongreso para mapabilis at masiguro ang pagpasa ng budget para mas marami pa tayong matulungan sa ating mga kababayan. Ito ang Bagong Pilipinas, ito ang bagong Kongreso,” he said.
Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla thanked President Marcos, Romualdez, and Congress for ensuring that financial assistance reaches the people, acknowledging the significant impact of the BPSF.
“Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa ating Pangulo, kay Speaker Romualdez, at sa buong Kongreso. Ang inyong tulong at suporta ay napakalaking ginhawa sa aming mga kababayan dito sa Leyte,” Petilla said.
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, meanwhile, noted the collaboration between national and local governments.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami kay President Marcos, kay Speaker, at sa lahat ng mambabatas na nagpunta rito. Ang kanilang pagsisikap ay nagbunga ng malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.