House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Expect up to 13 of the Marcos administration’s signature Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fairs (BPSF) to be held in quick succession next year in as many provinces.

House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias "Ponyong" Gabonada made this announcement Tuesday, Nov. 19 as ensured the all-encompassing service caravan's return in 2025, despite it being an election year. 

Gabonada said all 13 BPSFs will take place in the first quarter of 2025, in keeping with program's goal of bringing essential government services directly to communities across the nation. 

The House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez is a major organizer of the BPSF. It is also widely known as a vehicle for the Marcos government to distribute financial aid of "ayuda".

"We have Albay, Sorsogon, Camiguin, Quezon, La Union, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Misamis Occidental, Bohol and Aklan lined up for the first quarter of next year," Gabonada said. 

He emphasized the program’s broader objective, noting, “We are targeting two-thirds of the provinces of the entire country [to] be served through BPSF.”

Gabonada says Romualdez, the primary proponent of the service caravan, is also eyeing the BPSF to become a crucial platform for addressing the needs of disaster-stricken communities. 

"[Speaker Martin Romualdez], has an instruction already in response to the call of the President na buhusan ng serbisyo iyung mga nasalanta din ng bagyo or various typhoons na dumaan (to pour services for the victims of the various typhoons that passed us),” he said.

The mini-BPSF in Albay, Bicol on Thursday and the BPSF in Samar on Friday will be the last pair of events for 2024 under the program. 

The upcoming service fairs will address not just relief distribution but also long-term recovery needs, Gabonada said.

“We are expecting to cater to hundred thousand families for cash assistance. We are targeting around 180,000 beneficiaries across all programs and services,” Gabonada stated. He says the value of the programs and services is projected to reach half a billion pesos.

The mid-term elections will take place on May 12, 2025.

Co thanks Romualdez

Meanwhile, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co on Tuesday extended his heartfelt gratitude to Romualdez for spearheading relief efforts for Bicolanos affected by recent calamities, including super typhoon "Pepito".  

“Ang mabilis at maagap na aksyon ni Speaker Romualdez ay patunay ng kanyang malasakit at dedikasyon sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan. Ang relief efforts na ito ay isang malaking tulong para sa mga kababayan ko sa Bicol na nasalanta, lalo na sa mga taga-Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, at Catanduanes na matinding naapektuhan,” said Co, a proud son of the Bicol.  

(“Speaker Romualdez's quick and prompt action is proof of his concern and dedication to our fellow citizens in need. This relief effort is a big help for my compatriots in Bicol who were devastated, especially those from Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes which were severely affected.”)

Romualdez’s "Tabang Bikol, Tindog Oragon" initiative mobilized 24 truckloads of relief goods and P750 million in financial assistance for affected communities in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes.

“This comprehensive relief operation demonstrates the power of unity and bayanihan (collective heroism). Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa ating Speaker at sa lahat ng tumulong upang maisakatuparan ito (I am very grateful to our Speaker and everyone who helped to make this happen),” said Co, also the House Appropriations Committee chairman.