GOV’T SERVICE FAIR. Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers a message during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Davao City on Thursday (Sept. 5, 2024). Romualdez represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos during the 23rd stop of the BPSF. (PNA photo by Zaldy De Layola)
DAVAO CITY – Upon instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Health’s (DOH) Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) will download PHP50 million to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Thursday.
In a meeting with SMPC officials, staff, and patients, Romualdez said funds will be used for zero billing of all patients seeking medical attention during the two-day Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Davao City from Sept. 5-6.
Romualdez represented President Marcos in the 23rd stop of BPSF and service caravan in Davao City where the Speaker introduced and launched two new programs -- the provision of medical aid to those seeking health services in government hospitals and the grant of cash assistance to the poorest of the poor.
Aside from the “zero bill” benefit, the hospital patients will also receive and take home 10 kilos of rice, Romualdez said.
“Food vouchers will be distributed for the SPMC to all patients and staff, ngayon po ang Pasko, maaga ang Pasko sa Davao (Christmas is early in Davao),” he said.
He also said PHP10,000 will be given to each of the 6,000 SPMC employees from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Romualdez also visited the Pediatric Cancer Ward in SPMC, where he gave all patients toys and Jollibee Kiddie meals.
He said the cash aid program for the “poorest of the poor” in Davao City was called “Tulong Para sa Dabawenyo” and held at the University of Southeastern Philippines' parking lot.
He said 250 beneficiaries, composed of homeless people, mendicants, and indigents, each received PHP10,000 from DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and 20 kilos of rice.
A total of 183 lawmakers joined the BPSF in Davao City to witness the flow of government services and financial assistance at the grassroots level.
“Ating ikinagagalak ang patuloy na pagtangkilik ng mga mambabatas sa ating BPSF (We are happy for the continuous patronage by the lawmakers of our BPSF). This is especially timely since we are now in the budget season and every House member here sees the importance of allocating funds for government services and financial assistance programs,” Romualdez said.
The 23rd BPSF in Davao City was by Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, chief of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
A total of PHP1.2 billion worth of government services and financial aid was rolled out to 250,000 beneficiaries during the BPSF in Davao City.
Free legal services
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Action Center rendered free legal services during the BPSF.
Under the supervision of Undersecretary Margarita N. Gutierrez, the DOJAC Region XI rendered free services such as providing legal advice and counseling, free notarization, and government referral/endorsement of cases to concerned government agencies.
The DOJ also tapped its attached agencies for the issuance/processing of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances, Land Registration Authority (LRA) help desk for land title concerns, Bureau of Immigration (BI) tourist visa/citizenship and exit clearance matters and the legal services of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).
"Our goal in the DOJ is to create a lasting and positive impact by taking the initiative in extending our helping hand to every Filipino in need," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said.
"Government service is a matter of public trust and there is no better way to prove our trustworthiness other than giving back to the people who placed us here,” he added. (With a report from Benjamon Pulta/PNA)
