SULTAN KUDARAT — The 12th Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) commenced on Sunday, earmarking approximately PHP1.2 billion in programs and services for the residents of Sultan Kudarat and surrounding areas. The two-day event is set to benefit over 150,000 individuals, with Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Mindanaoan members of the House of Representatives leading the opening ceremony.
According to Philippines News Agency, the fair will feature 329 services and programs from 55 government agencies, alongside the distribution of PHP200 million in cash assistance to verified beneficiaries. "This is the promise of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and we will continue to provide more services in different parts of the country. We promise to bring the BPSF programs and services closer to the people," Romualdez stated during the opening ceremony.
The BPSF represents the nation's largest service caravan, designed to deliver essential government services directly to the less fortunate sectors of the Filipino population. Highlighted programs at the caravan include Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels, and driver's license registration, demonstrating the government's commitment to making services more accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of their location.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized the administration's commitment to decentralizing access to government services, asserting, "You don't need to go to Manila to avail of any government services. We will bring the government services closer to you. This is the vision of our President, and we at the Congress will support him in this initiative."
Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu expressed gratitude to President Marcos for selecting Sultan Kudarat as the host for the 12th edition of the BPSF. "We are fortunate and blessed that Sultan Kudarat was chosen to host the 12th BPSF. This is a dream turned into reality, and we are honored and privileged and more excited about what will come since this is just only the beginning," Mangudadatu remarked.
The governor also reiterated his unwavering support for the Bagong Pilipinas program, highlighting the collective effort required to deliver quality services to the Filipino people. "We express our commitment and support to Bagong Pilipinas as it is the best Pilipinas we can give to the Filipino people. When we work hand in hand, we will deliver good services to our people," he added.