The recipients of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Samar (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar—The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) pulled out all the stops in its final event of 2024 here, as over 60,000 beneficiaries received financial aid and various government services.

The Samar BPSF, which launched in Northwest Samar State University on Friday, Nov. 22 and will continue the next day, was spearheaded by the program’s main proponent, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Ito ang patuloy nating tugon sa pagnanais ng ating Pangulong Marcos na ilapit ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan,” Romualdez said.

(This is our continued response to the desire of our President Marcos to bring government services closer to our countrymen.)

“Hindi lamang ito programa, ito ay simbolo ng taos-pusong serbisyo at pagkakaisa ng pamahalaan at ng sambayanan,” he added.

(This is not only a program, it is a symbol of heartfelt service and unity of the government and the people.)

The BPSF, considered as the flagship public service program of the Marcos administration, brought over P700 million worth of government programs and services to Samar.

The province marks the 25th stop of the service caravan, and the fourth visit to Eastern Visayas. The BPSF aims to reach all 82 provinces.

The Samar leg of the event saw the participation of 61 members of the House of Representatives.

With 62 national government agencies included in the all-encompassing service caravan, 255 services were offered to beneficiaries.

Following the directive of President Marcos to deliver assistance to all sectors of society, the event was headlined by three programs that extended support to vulnerable sectors not covered by government programs.

Specifically, the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program, the Start-Up, Investments, Business Opportunities and Livelihood (SIBOL) program, and the Integrated Scholarship and Incentives for the Youth (ISIP) program—which were conceived by Romualdez himself.

“Ang CARD, SIBOL at ISIP ay nagpapakita ng malasakit at pagkalinga ng gobyerno para sa bawat Pilipino,” the House leader said.

(The CARD, SIBOL and ISIP show the government's care and concern for every Filipino.)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez giving a speech (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

True to his moniker “Mr. Rice”, Romualdez distributed P5,000 in financial aid and 10 kilograms of rice under the CARD program. Its beneficiaries included senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), single parents, and indigenous peoples (IPs).

Under SIBOL program, more than 3,000 owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises received P5,000 in cash and 5 kilograms of rice.

The ISIP for the Youth program, meanwhile, gave rice and financial aid to about 3,000 students.

According to Romualdez, the BPSF ultimately represents the administration’s commitment to bringing concrete solutions to the everyday challenges faced by Filipinos in need.

“Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, naihatid natin ang pag-asa at tulong sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he emphasized.

(Through this program, we have brought hope and help to every Filipino family.)