STA. CRUZ, Laguna (PIA) — Thousands of residents of Laguna trooped to the Provincial Capitol in Sta. Cruz, Laguna to avail of services offered by various government agencies during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on Saturday, November 3.
The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, the country’s largest service caravan, offers various programs and services, including Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Lab For All. It’s a flagship project of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Office and the House of Representatives. It brings together primary government services, from medical assistance to financial aid, and offers them to communities.
Joseph Masiglat of Los Baños, Laguna availed the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Laguna. (PB)
One of the more than 85,000 beneficiaries that day is Joseph Masiglat of Los Baños, Laguna. He underwent a stringent process to avail himself the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Isa po ako sa mapalad na nakuha dito, at makakakuha ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng food assistance para sa pamilya ko.”
Masiglat adds: “Ako po ay nagpapasalamat kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa ibinigay sa amin na tulong dito sa Laguna. Nabawasan ang aming hirap, at nabigyan kami ng pagkain kahit pang ilang araw.”
Since its implementation in 2014, the AICS has provided a wide range of assistance, including educational, medical, transportation, burial, and food aid. The DSWD, as the program’s implementing agency, has opened the AICS to individuals or families facing extreme circumstances, as well as financially incapacitated individuals.
Yolanda Angeles of Sta. Cruz availed herself of the Social Welfare Department’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT), a financial assistance program that is part of their humanitarian aid for residents in areas affected by disasters.
Meanwhile, Yolanda Angeles of Sta. Cruz availed herself of the Social Welfare Department’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT), a financial assistance program that is part of their humanitarian aid for residents in areas affected by disasters.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa malaking tulong na naibigay sa buong Laguna. Isa po ako sa mga natulungan ng ECT para sa mga nasirang bahay. Lagi po kasing binabahaan ang lugar namin kaya po kami ay pinatawag para matulungan sa panahon ng kalamidad,” Angeles said.
Aside from providing social benefits, the BPSF in Laguna also hosted KADIWA ng Pangulo, which is the flagship program of the administration in empowering farmers through a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain.
The BPSF turned out profitable for them, according to Angeles. “Kahit paano nadagdagan ang aming income. Marami pong namili sa amin, halos maubos ‘yung paninda namin. Sulit naman ang pagpunta [sa Serbisyo Fair], kahit mahal ang diesel.
Penita Monteiro was one of the senior citizens who availed of free medical services from the Department of Health during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Laguna. (PB)
The Department of Health (DOH) also offered free healthcare services that were utilized by numerous senior citizens, like 69 year-old Penita Monteiro.
“Ako po ay nakapagpa-konsulta, nagpunta din po ako sa DA. Matapos po dito po ako nagpunta sa pagpapakonsulta naman ukol sa kalusugan. At sa pagkonsulta ko, naka-avail po ako ng mga gamot para sa aking maintenance.”
Aside from free medical consultations, clients at the BPSF were also given free medicines and vitamins.
Senior citizens like Penita were able to maximize the benefits of the BPSF through the DOH’s free medical check-ups, family planning services, and more.
Despite its brief stop in Laguna, the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair has made essential government services more accessible to underserved communities. (PB/PIA-4A)
