The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Mindoro, which saw the distribution of a total of P1.2 billion worth of cash aid and other government livelihood programs to residents, is living proof that government services and programs can be properly implemented at the grassroots levels.
Deputy Speaker and Quezon District Rep. David Suarez offered this assessment during Monday’s press briefing at the House of Representatives being one of the more than 20 Luzon lawmakers who attended the BPSF in Calapan, Mindoro last March 9 to 10.
“This is a clear indication that services are being felt and properly implemented at the grassroots level,” Suarez told reporters of the total amount of financial, livelihood and educational aid distributed during the two-day Serbisyo Caravan.
He cited the total of 50,000 Mindoro residents who benefitted not only from the financial assistance programs of the government, but also from the one-stop-shop of government services like PhilHealth registration and applications for DFA passport, NBI clearance, police clearance, PSA birth certificate, Pag-IBIG membership and housing loan, SSS membership and GSIS UMID, among many others.
“Just to name a few, 28,000 individuals benefited from the DSWD program of AICS, 9,000 individuals benefited from the program of the DOLE, at naka-focus po ito duon sa mga naapektuhan nuong oil spill sa Mindoro (and it was focused on those affected by the oil spill in Mindoro),” Suarez said.
“Mayroon din pong P145 million worth of equipment ang naitulong sa 52 farmer cooperatives para sa Department of Agriculture. Mayroon din pong pitong libo na nakinabang sa ISIP program, which is our scholarship assistance. Mayroon din mga negosyo or start-up businesses na nakatanggap ng kapital mula sa SIBOL,” he added.
He congratulated Gov. Bonz Dolor for hosting the BPSF in Mindoro as well as Rep. Arnan Panaligan, and said he is looking forward to the next BPSF next week in Agusan del Norte in Mindanao.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, who was also at the press briefing, said that the BPSF also proved that the “whole of government” approach is very effective when it comes to rolling out government services and in helping to reach out to the grass root level in the different provinces.
“We’re very happy that PBBM is continuing in trying to reach out to our constituents in the provinces. And the HOR under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez is in full support of PBBM’s program in reaching out to the different communities in the provinces,” Dalipe said.
Dalipe said that the House will continue exercising its oversight function, particularly to those different departments that they supported during the hearing of the national budget.
“We will continue to monitor and most especially we will come up with decisions that will help us improve, particularly in the crafting of the next year’s budget, the 2025 budget,” he said.