ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) -- Over P1.2 billion worth of programs and services were delivered to the residents of Sultan Kudarat during the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on Sunday, Feb. 25.

BPSF, which ended on Monday, Feb. 26, was the country’s biggest service caravan, aimed at providing major government services to marginalized Filipinos in the country.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. led officials in the distribution of government aid to the beneficiaries.

“Simula nang umpisahan nating ilibot ang serbisyo fair sa iba’t ibang probinsya, nakita natin na malayo ang mararating kung ang gobyerno at taumbayan ay nagtutulungan,” said Romualdez, emphasizing that the event represented “not only a strengthened unity but also shared visions and aspirations.”

[Since we started implementing the service fair in different provinces, we have seen that we can go far if the government and the people work together.]

The house speaker also highlighted that the BPSF serves as “a testament to the collaborative efforts” aimed at building a more progressive nation through improved government services.

Representing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Lagdameo emphasized that the BSPF does not only highlight the various resources and services available to the local communities but also "an opportunity to foster a culture of service that transcends partisan divides."

“With over 55 participating national government agencies and the provision of around 300 programs, I am confident that we can truly make a positive impact on the lives of many individuals,” he conveyed. 

Joining them in the 12th launching event of the BPSF were 40 congressional representatives from various regions of the country.

Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu expressed his gratitude to the Marcos Administration for selecting the province as the venue for the BPSF in Soccsksargen.

"Bagong Pilipinas is made to ensure na mas mapalapit ang [to bring closer the] national government services sa ating probinsya [in our province]. It is a very good initiative of our dear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," Mangudadatu said, adding that the Serbisyo Fair in the province also welcomed residents of neighboring provinces and cities who came to avail of government offerings.

The event at the SK Provincial Capitol grounds was not just the largest BPSF kickoff, which offered at least 329 services to more than 150,000 registered beneficiaries and over 150,000 walk-in clients and goers to the Pagkakaisa concert, Mangudadatu and the lead national secretariat, Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr., said.

Gabonada reiterated that of the P1.2 billion worth of programs and services in the Serbisyo Fair, a total of P200 million was in the form of cash assistance from all agencies with financial aid for the poor and underprivileged.

More than 500,000 kilograms of rice were distributed to beneficiaries, including 10-kilogram rice packs to over 30,000 selected recipients from the marginalized sectors and 25-kg rice packs to 8,000 beneficiaries of the government's Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program.

The Serbisyo Fair also showcased government programs, including the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, which provided affordable goods from farmers and fisherfolk to small businesses; civil registration document requests processed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); and Lab4All, a free laboratory test, consultation, and medicine.

Event organizers also designated areas for passport applications for easy facilitation by the Department of Foreign Affairs, processing of drivers’ licenses by the Land Transportation Office, issuance of clearances by the Philippine National Police, and benefit claims and membership inquiries by the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System, including inquiries for tax, fee, and charge by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

It also featured various social services for people to avail of from lead agencies, namely the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the National Food Authority, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Food and Drug Administration, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Coconut Authority.

The Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Technical Skills and Development Authority, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Migrant Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education also showcased their livelihood packages and educational services they had in store for their beneficiaries.

Other government services included those from the Public Attorney’s Office, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Department of Information and Communication Technology, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), including the official organization of all lawyers, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, among others.

The Serbisyo Fair also lined up other notable activities such as the distribution of farm machinery and equipment, organic fertilizers, coconut seedlings, and oil palm seedlings; the handover of certificates of land ownership; and the awarding of housing units for indigenous peoples, including the conduct of job fairs.

"I could proudly say na sa Bagong Pilipinas, ngayon lang naka-experience ng ganito karaming serbisyo sa isang convergence program," Gabonada said.

[I could proudly say that in Bagong Pilipinas, I have only now experienced this much service in a convergence program.]

According to Mangudadatu, the launch of BPSF in Sultan Kudarat will have lasting benefits for the people of the province.

"I can even say that Bagong Pilipinas is the best Pilipinas we can give to the Filipinos," Mangudadatu added. (DED - PIA Region 12)