SERBISYO FAIR. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (2nd and 3rd from left, 2nd row) lead the ceremonial distribution of services and cash assistance during the opening program of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair at Aboitiz Pitch-Lima Park in Lipa City, Batangas on Saturday (Aug. 24, 2024). The two-day caravan will distribute PHP563 million worth of programs and cash assistance. (Photo courtesy of Speaker’s Office)
LIPA CITY, Batangas – The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), the country’s biggest service and convergence caravan, on Saturday rolled out a total of PHP563 million worth of government services and financial aid for over 60,000 in the province of Batangas.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, also a former Batangas representative, served as the local host for the BPSF here that will continue until Sunday.
The BPSF Batangas features 50 participating agencies with over 200 services. A total of PHP563 million worth of programs will be distributed, with PHP265 million in the form of cash assistance projects.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted payouts for 34,000 beneficiaries across the province.
The BPSF first went to the Calabarzon Region in Sta. Cruz, Laguna in November 2023.
The service caravan in Batangas is the 22nd installment of the BPSF, which aims to reach all 82 provinces nationwide.
In only a year since its launch, more than PHP10 billion worth of assistance were already provided to 2.5 million families in 21 BPSFs.
“Natutuwa tayo sa pagbabalik natin sa BPSF mula sa pahayag ng mas pinatinding interes ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa service caravan na nagbigay ng ibayong motivation sa ating (We are happy with the return of the BPSF following an intensified interest from President Marcos on the service caravan, which boosted the motivation of our) organizers,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said during the opening program held at Aboitiz Pitch-Lima Park.
“Kailangan nang itayo ang mga serbisyo at tulong center sa bawat lalawigan sa Pilipinas. Serbisyo ng gobyerno, direkta na sa tao. Ito ang pangako ni Pangulong Marcos sa ating mga kababayan (We need to establish service and assistance centers in every province of the Philippines. Government services, direct to the people. That’s the promise of President Marcos to our countrymen),” he added.
He said the BPSF is the embodiment of a convergence mechanism for a whole-of-government and a whole-of-nation approach to nation-building, carrying out the commitment of President Marcos that no Filipino is left behind.
CARD, ISIP, SIBOL programs
Romualdez also led the distribution of rice and cash aid to 9,000 beneficiaries under three programs that target the vulnerable sectors that do not receive financial assistance from any established social amelioration program of the government.
These are the Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution (CARD), Integrated Scholarships and Incentives for the Youth (ISIP), and the Start-Up, Investments, Business Opportunities and Livelihood (SIBOL).
For the CARD program, 3,000 beneficiaries received PHP5,000 each at Lipa City Youth and Cultural Center through the DSWD’s Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and 20 kilograms of rice.
For the ISIP Program, 3,000 students received PHP5,000 each also under the DSWD-AKAP and 5 kilograms of rice in a distribution at Lipa Academy of Sports, Culture and Arts.
Beneficiaries will receive PHP5,000 from the program every six months to cover tuition and other expenses.
Identified student-beneficiaries will be enrolled under Commission on Higher and Technical Education’s Tulong Dunong Program, where students can get scholarship assistance per year amounting to PHP15,000.
They will also get priority slots under the Government Internship Program after graduation while their unemployed parents or guardians may also be enrolled in DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers short-term employment program.
SIBOL, meanwhile, offers opportunities for entrepreneurs and supports micro, small and medium enterprises and start-up businesses through a convergence of government initiatives and private sector efforts with substantial capital infusion.
A total of 3,000 small-time entrepreneurs received PHP5,000 each and 5 kilograms of rice in the distribution held at Claro M. Recto Events Center.
Pure service
Recto said the gathering had nothing to do with politics.
“Not a rally but service, not politics but service. What we bring is not division but integration with a purpose to help… not conflict but comfort,” he said during the event.
“All agencies are here, and any help, advice, assistance, and relief will be freely given regardless of your status in life. These agencies are ready to sympathize with you without discrimination. As a citizen, you have the right to enjoy such care,” he added. (With a report from Pot Chavez/PNA)
