House Speaker Martin Romualdez addresses the crowd during the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Benguet as dozens of congressman-colleagues look on behind him. (Speaker’s office)

House members continue to use the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) as a venue to show their continued support for the administration of President Marcos. 

The BPSF in the province of Benguet was no exception, as 63 congressmen made the trip to the province amid their summer break 4o attend the launch of the all-encompassing service caravan Sunday, April 21. 

Leading the 63 pro-administration solons was House Speaker Martin Romualdez, one of the chief organizers of the BPSF. 

“We are in awe of the sheer solidarity of our members in the House of Representatives to President Marcos Jr.’s program of prompt services to Filipinos. Nakabakasyon po ang ating Kongreso, pero nakikita natin ang unity sa ating mga kongresista sa pagdalo sa ating BPSF dito sa Benguet,” saix Romualdez, the leader of 300-plus strong chamber. 

(Congress is in recess, and yet we see the unity of our congressman with their participation at the BPSF here in Benguet.) 

Romualdez revealed that the Benguet BPSF, which rolled out a total of P412 million worth of financial assistance and government services to local residents, posted the highest attendance of House members so far in the ongoing service caravan. The Agusan del Norte BPSF was a close second with a total of 62 House members in attendance. 

This show of force from solons was carried out even as personalities like former president Rodrigo Duterte and his allies remained critical of the Marcos administration on topics such as the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

Also taking part in the launch of the two-day event were House leaders Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzalez, Jr., Deputy Speaker David "Jayjay" Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, and Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo. 

“We hope to cover all 82 provinces within the next few months. Kaya sa ating mga kababayan na hindi pa nabibisita ng BPSF, huwag po kayong mag-alala at darating po sa inyong lalawigan ang serbisyo caravan para maghatid ng tulong-pinansyal at programa ng pamahalaan para sa inyo,” Romualdez added. 

(To those of out countrymen who have yet to ne visited  by the BPSF, don't fret because this service caravan will soon go to your province to provide financial assistance and government services.) 

The BPSF in Benguet also saw the distribution of some 160,000 kilograms of rice from Romualdez. 

The Speaker had earlier earned the nickname “Mr. Rice” for his rice distribution program.