DAVAO CITY (PIA)—An array of government assistance, programs, and services reached 250,000 beneficiaries at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) Davao City leg held at the University of Southeastern Philippines campus, Azuela Cove, and El Pueblo Maa.
Dubbed as MinDANOW: Sebisyo Para sa Mindanao and held in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), it is touted as the largest BPSF leg to date with P1.2 billion worth of assistance and programs.
Around P1 billion of cash assistance was distributed to various program beneficiaries and P200 million total in-kind assistance.
One of the assistance programs is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) AKAP (Ayuda sa Kapus ang Kita) aid given to low-income earners. A total of P750 million for 150,000 beneficiaries was allocated for the event. Also, 50,000 beneficiaries were provided cash assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
A total of 3,000 tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA) members also received P5,000 cash and 20 kilos of premium rice under the Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution program by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Also, 3,000 Dabawenyo Micro Small Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) entrepreneurs were given P5,000 cash assistance and 5 kilos of rice under Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity, and Livelihood (SIBOL).
Under the Integrated Scholarship and Incentives Program (ISIP), a total of 3,000 student beneficiaries received P5,000 in cash and 5 kilos of premium rice.
Aside from cash and rice assistance, Lab For All medical and dental services were provided at the Brokenshire Amphitheater in Brokenshire Hospital, Madapo Hills, Davao City.
The beneficiaries said the assistance provided at the BPSF is of great help to them.
“Malaking tulong po etong assistance, gamitin ko ito para sa pamilya, anak ko mga estudyante,” says Brian Cubelo of Barangay Bunawan, a TUPAD beneficiary who received P5,000 and premium rice.
(This assistance is a big help; I will use it for my family, and my children who are students.)
For Richie Alcano, the usual two-day processing for a student permit was completed within hours as he availed of the Land Transportation Office XI On Wheels services at the BPSF.
“Katong muadto ka sa ilang opisina duha jud ka adlaw ilang seminar, kani dali lang ni kaayo kay sa una dagan dagan pa ka para sa requirements, kanang mga medical. Mao nindot siya na serbisyo,” Alcano said.
(We used to go to the office, and it took two days for their seminar. Now it is easy because in the past you had to go to different places for the requirements, like medical. This is a great service.)
MinDA Chair Secretary Leo Magno said the event that serves as a one-stop shop of government services provides convenience to constituents as they will not have to run to different places to get their requirements.
“Halos lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na andoon; DFA, LTO, LTFRB halos lahat ng ahensya andoon para kung may pangangailangan ang mga tao, magkakaroon tayo ng parang isang one-stop shop na area kung saan lahat ng kinakailangan nila sa isang lugar lang,” Sec. Magno, in an earlier interview, said of the benefits that the caravan of government services.
(Almost all agencies of government were there: Department of Foreign Affairs, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising, and Regulatory Board, so if the people have needs, we have a one-stop shop to cater to their needs in one place.)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in his speech that the BPSF aligns with the wishes of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Yan talaga ang utos ng mahal ng Presidente na ibaba ang gobyerno sa taong bayan, lahat ng departamento lahat ng sanga ng gobyerno ay andito,” the Speaker said.
(That is the order of our dear President to bring the government to the people; all the departments and all branches of government are here.)
He said BPSF aims to reach as many Filipinos as possible and that no Filipino will be left behind. (PIA/RG Alama)
