Film, TV workers gather during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Oct.13. (Speaker’s Office)

The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)—the flagship public service program of the Marcos administration—rolled out P75 million worth of government assistance and services to over 15,000 workers from the film, television, theater, and radio industries.

As part of the government’s efforts to enhance support for the country’s "creatives" sector, House Speaker Martin Romualdez helped launched on Sunday, Oct. 13 the special BSPF that carried the theme “Paglinang sa Industriya ng Paglikha (Cultivating the Creative Industry)”.

The two--day event sought to provide financial aid and capacity-building opportunities to these rather specific beneficiaries. 

"Ang BPSF ay isa sa mga programa ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos na may layuning matulungan ang bawat sektor ng ating lipunan, kabilang ang mga nasa creative industry. Ipinapakita nito na hindi natin nakakalimutan ng pamahalaan ang ating mga manggagawa sa larangan ng sining at media," Romualdez said in a statement.

(The BPSF is one of the programs of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos that aims to help every sector of our society, including those in the creative industry. This shows that our government does not forget our workers in the field of art and media.)

During the launch Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, more than 23 government agencies participated to provide more than 100 essential government services.

Among these services are the processing of government documents, permits, licenses, and health services that are crucial for those working in the creative industry.

“Sa bawat serbisyong hatid ng BPSF, layunin nating gawing mas madali at abot-kamay ang mga oportunidad para sa ating mga manggagawa sa creative sector,” said Romualdez.

(With every service that BPSF brings, we aim to make opportunities for our creative sector workers easier and more accessible.)

The BPSF, which is spearheaded by Romualdez himself, has so far provided P10 billion worth of government services across the Philippines, and has served more than 2.5 million families

According to House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada Jr., each recipient in Pasig City was given a P5,000 cash assistance as part of the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

True to his moniker of “Mr. Rice”, Romualdez also provided each of the beneficiaries with five kilos of rice, amounting to a total of 75,000 kilos of rice for the two-day event.

Gabonada, one of the key officials overseeing the BPSF, pointed out that aside from cash and rice aid, the service caravan also intented to equip recipients with the necessary skills through various training sessions and industry-specific workshops.

Through this holistic approach, the Speaker said the BPSF will able to achieve its vision of ensuring that all resources and opportunities are accessible.

“Naniniwala ako na ang mga programa ng BPSF ay magbibigay-daan sa mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan sa creative sector, at magdudulot ng mas matatag na kinabukasan para sa kanila," he stressed.

(I believe that the BPSF programs will provide more opportunities for our countrymen in the creative sector, and bring a more stable future for them.)

Director Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) said the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the film and television industries. He  noted that these industries are still trying to recover.

Among those who gave messages of support during Sunday’s event were Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos, Pasig City lone Rep. Roman Romulo, and other members of the House of Representatives.