House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced on Friday, August 2, 2024, a commitment to significantly increase funding for programs and projects under the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in the 2025 national budget.
This pledge aims to sustain President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s flagship public service initiative, ensuring broader delivery of government services to the Filipino people.
During the mega BPSF event held in Tacloban City, Leyte, Romualdez emphasized the unity and dedication of the House of Representatives in backing the initiative.
He revealed that deliberations on the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, which includes essential allocations for BPSF-related services like Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels, and Driver’s License registration/assistance, would commence next week.
“Araw-araw, gabi-gabi ay magta-trabaho ang inyong Kongreso para mapabilis at masiguro ang pagpasa ng budget para mas marami pa tayong matulungan sa ating mga kababayan. Ito ang Bagong Pilipinas, ito ang bagong Kongreso,” Romualdez said.
The event, which marked the highest attendance at a BPSF gathering with 241 House members present, showcased bipartisan support for the initiative.
The impressive turnout led to comments like, “Pwede nang magsession sa dami ng kongresistang sumama.”
Alongside the legislators, notable attendees included Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and various regional leaders, underscoring the widespread backing for the BPSF.
The mega BPSF event in Tacloban City facilitated the distribution of P1.26 billion worth of government services to 253,000 beneficiaries across Eastern Visayas, including mini-BPSFs in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran.
In a statement to the media, Speaker Romualdez thanked the lawmakers for their cross-party cooperation and commitment to delivering essential services to the people.
House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo expressed gratitude towards President Marcos, Speaker Romualdez, and Congress for their efforts to provide financial assistance.
“Napakalaking bagay po ng tulong na ito mula sa ating Pangulo at Kongreso. Maraming salamat po, lalo na kay Speaker Romualdez, sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa ating mga kababayan,” Tulfo said.
Senator Revilla also praised the collaborative efforts, stating, “Ang Serbisyo Fair na ito ay patunay na nagkakaisa ang ating pamahalaan para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino.”
Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez expressed their appreciation for the comprehensive support provided through the BPSF.
Governor Petilla said, “Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa ating Pangulo, kay Speaker Romualdez, at sa buong Kongreso. Ang inyong tulong at suporta ay napakalaking ginhawa sa aming mga kababayan dito sa Leyte,” while Mayor Romualdez added, “Nagpapasalamat po kami kay President Marcos, kay Speaker Romualdez, at sa lahat ng mambabatas na nagpunta rito. Ang kanilang pagsisikap ay nagbunga ng malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan.”
The event underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to making government services accessible to all Filipinos, with Speaker Romualdez reiterating the administration’s mission to reach every region. (Ronald Reyes)
Photo: BPSF
