‘Bagong Pilipinas’ service fair lands in Siquijor

THE Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair was held in the province of Siquijor over the weekend, delivering over P300 million worth of cash aid and government programs to an estimated 50,000 beneficiaries, or around 100 percent of the family population of the province.

The fair offered around 200 services from 39 national government agencies, which included a province-wide payout of the beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Scholarship programs were also offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), as well as livelihood assistance to pre-identified beneficiaries.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said that the program has been successful in delivering government services to the people in far-flung areas.

He added that the fair is a realization of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promise to bring government services closer to people in the fastest and most efficient manner.

“This is the New Philippines: a government that gives love not just in words but in action. A government that does not wait, but initiates and approaches to resolve the needs of the public towards our collective prosperity,” said Romualdez, one of the primary proponents of the fair.

Coinciding with the BPSF was the awarding of grants to select small and medium entrepreneurs and students under the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (Sibol) program, and the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth program.

Romualdez said that the two programs were created in response to the challenge of President Marcos to the House of Representatives to provide assistance to those who need it the most.