The Province of Samar is playing host to the final installment of President Marcos’ flagship ‘Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)’ this year, an initiative that aims to bring government services directly to the people.
The two-day event currently taking place at the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, is expected to deliver over P700 million worth of programs, services, and financial aid to more than 60,000 beneficiaries, reaffirming its significance as a critical mechanism for public service delivery.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the primary proponent of the BPSF, underscored the importance of the program in reaching underserved communities.
“This is our continued response to the desire of our President Marcos to bring government services closer to our countrymen. It’s not just a program; it is a symbol of the sincere service and unity of the government and the people,” he said.
The Samar leg of the BPSF saw the participation of 62 national government agencies and 63 House Representatives members, offering over 255 services.
The event allocated P400 million in cash assistance, which was distributed to pre-identified beneficiaries across the province.
“This event represents our commitment to bringing concrete, tangible solutions to the everyday challenges faced by our constituents,” Romualdez added.
Among the key activities were payouts conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), amounting to P300 million and reaching over 20,000 individuals.
Scholarships from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) benefited numerous students, while livelihood assistance programs supported various sectors.
In-kind aid worth P316 million was distributed during the event, including 110,000 kilograms of rice, alongside social services, health programs, agricultural aid, and regulatory services.
The local hosting of the event was spearheaded by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Samar 1st District Representative Stephen James Tan and Samar 2nd District Representative Reynolds Michael Tan, in collaboration with the Calbayog City Government.
As this developed, Romualdez said the House of Representatives is determined to reinstate the P39-billion Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), along with additional subsistence allowances for soldiers, in the 2025 national budget.
He directed Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co to ensure the restoration of AKAP funding during the forthcoming bicameral conference committee discussions.
In an ambush interview on Thursday, Romualdez challenged senators to go to the grassroots and see how financial aid programs like the AKAP benefit many Filipino households.
It can be recalled that Senators removed the P39.8-billion allocation for AKAP inserted in the proposed 2025 budget by the Lower Chamber.
“I don’t think they [Senators] understand because they don’t go down to the grassroots,” the Speaker noted.
