BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) made its debut in Surigao del Sur, bringing P560 million worth of financial aid and other programs to 90,000 beneficiaries during the two-day event in Bislig City on June 21-22.
With 46 participating national government agencies, over 217 services were offered to the beneficiaries. Of the P560 million in programs and services provided, P244 million was delivered as cash assistance.
The event was attended by over 77 members of the House of Representatives from various regions of the country, showcasing unity and a strong commitment to bringing government services closer to the people.
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada Jr. of the BPSF National Secretariat noted that this is the 20th leg of the BPSF across the country, saying, “This BPSF in Bislig City is the second in the Caraga region after Agusan del Norte and the ninth in Mindanao.”
“This brings the BPSF in Mindanao to almost half of all the service caravans conducted throughout the country,” Gabonada added.
Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel of the Second District of Surigao del Sur and Gov. Alexander Pimentel co-hosted the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Surigao del Sur along with First District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. and Bislig City Mayor Florencio Garay.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated continuous payouts across the province, reaching 64,000 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), who received a total of P216 million.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education for Skills Development (TESDA) facilitated a province-wide release of scholarship programs to beneficiaries, as well as livelihood assistance to various identified eligible clients across Surigao del Sur.
The TESDA Provincial Office disclosed that a total of 1,790 clients were assisted in enrollment and assessment, skills demo, and benefitted from the launch of the program on TESDA sa Barangay.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez led the distribution of 95,000 kilograms of rice to qualified beneficiaries.
“Hindi na mawawala ang distribution ng bigas sa ating mga BPSF dahil naniniwala tayo na ang bigas ay buhay. Ginagawa ng inyong pamahalaan ang lahat para mapababa ang presyo ng bigas para sa ating mga pamilyang Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez declared.
A Pagkakaisa Concert at the Bislig City Baywalk gathered a crowd of at least 10,000 Surigaonons on the eve of June 21 with free admission. (NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)
