Romualdez says BPSF has led to tangible improvement for people

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez —Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has heaped praise to government workers who helped in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), noting that their combined efforts have led to tangible improvement for the people.

Romualdez in his speech at the BPSF Agency Summit on Monday—which was attended by delegates from different regions who helped in the implementation of the BPSF—said that countless lives have been touched with the different services brought by the program.

READ: Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair extends aid to 253,000 Eastern Visayas folk

“It represents our government’s promise to be not just present, but proactive in addressing the needs of our people. From the initial dry-run in Biliran to its expansive reach across 17 regions, this initiative has touched countless lives, bringing essential services where they are most needed,” the Speaker told the summit participants in Pasay City.

“However, the success of this endeavor is not just about reaching numbers or launching programs. It is about the real, tangible difference we make in the lives of our kababayan. It is about the child who receives life-saving medical attention, the elderly who finally feel the support of a caring government, the farmer who gains access to vital resources, and the student who sees education as a door to a brighter future,” he added.

According to Romualdez, the BPSF is the “living embodiment” of the administration’s ambition of bringing government programs closer to the people.

Much more than a program

“The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, a visionary initiative under the leadership of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., is much more than a program. It is a living embodiment of our collective dedication to bringing government services directly to the people, ensuring that no one is left behind, no matter how remote or underserved their community may be,” he said.

“None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts, unwavering commitment, and seamless collaboration of every government department and agency represented here. To each and every one of you, I extend my deepest gratitude,” he added.

In an ambush interview with reporters before the start of the program, House Deputy Secretary General and BPSF National Secretariat head Sofonias Gabonada Jr. said that the summit was launched to improve coordination between different agencies and organizers of the program.

This will be important, Gabonada said, as the National Secretariat seeks to institutionalize the BPSF by enacting a law through Congress.

“Well, we think that we can improve, we can make the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair better and we understand that our mantra will always be to make it faster, more orderly, comfortable, and fun. We want this to happen not only during the BPSF but as a mantra for our regular provision of service,” he said.

“The registration (has) reached 1,500 (participants) across 17 regions, among 78 national government agencies. All of the national government agencies are here to participate in the Bagong Pilipinas National Summit,” he noted

Currently, the BPSF is being brought to different provinces — 21 provinces as of Monday — so that people from far-flung areas can receive aid from the government, and at the same time get access to different services and offerings.

However, offices currently use their own funds to support the initiative — which can be addressed if the BPSF is institutionalized.

According to Gabonada, over P10 billion worth of assistance has been provided to 2.5 million families across the 21 BPSFs — way above the initial target of one million families.

Last August 1, the largest-ever BPSF was held in Tacloban, Leyte, with P1.2 billion worth of aid and services delivered to Eastern Visayas residents.

Romualdez said that this BPSF helped around 253,000 beneficiaries across Eastern Visayas received assistance.