House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)--which is shaping up to be the Marcos administration's signature public service initiative--will be held in three more provinces in Mindanao in the coming weeks. 

This was announced Sunday, May 5 by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, one of the main organizers of the all-encompassing service caravan. 

In a statement, Romualdez--arguably President Marcos' top lieutenant in the entire bureaucracy--noted that the BPSF has already poured in billions of pesos worth government services, financial aid, and livelihood assistance to 18 provinces, including four in Mindanao. These are Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, and Davao de Oro. 

"At sa mga susunod na mga araw at linggo, pupunta naman tayo sa Zamboanga City, Tawi-Tawi, at Davao del Norte,” Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, bared. 

(And in the coming days and weeks, we will be going to Zamboanga City, Tawi-Tawi, and Davao del Norte.) 

While the turnout of people has always been huge during the BPSF and its side events, it will be interesting to see how it will be received in Davao del Norte. Marcos administration critic, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez represents the province's first district in the House. 

Alvarez is known to be a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Romualdez says that aside from the BPSF, the House of Representatives, through his initiative, also spearheads the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program; the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth; the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (SIBOL); and the Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM). 

The BPSF, as well as the CARD Program, ISIP, FARM, and SIBOL, is scheduled for roll out in Zamboanga City on May 10 to 11, Tawi-Tawi on May 25 to 26, and Davao del Norte on June 7 to 8. 

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/21/another-show-of-force-for-admin-63-house-members-attend-benguet-bagong-pilipinas-serbisyo-fair 

The Speaker said the Marcos administration utilizes to its full extent the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to aid vulnerable sectors. 

He said they are also the beneficiaries of the flagship Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). 

The cash aid programs of the Marcos administration, including the initiatives brought to life by the leadership of the House of Representatives, have already benefited millions of Filipinos, especially those who are less fortunate.