TACLOBAN CITY—House Speaker and Leyte First District Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez assured on Friday, August 2, 2024, that there will be more funding for the programs and projects under the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in the 2025 national budget.
This move aims to ensure that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s flagship public service program continues to deliver government services directly to the people, reaching more Filipinos across the country.
Speaking at the mega BPSF event for Eastern Samar in Tacloban City, Leyte, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the unity and commitment of the House of Representatives in supporting this initiative.
He announced that the legislative body, comprising over 300 members, will begin deliberations next week on the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.
This budget includes allocations for programs and services essential to the BPSF, such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels, and Driver’s License registration/assistance.
“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,” the Speaker said in a statement to the media.
The event in Tacloban City was notably attended by 241 House members, marking the highest attendance at a BPSF to date.
Attendees noted the significant turnout, with one remarking, “Pwede nang magsession sa dami ng kongresistang sumama.”
The gathering also included Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and various regional leaders, highlighting the broad support for the BPSF.
During the event, P1.26 billion worth of government services were distributed to 253,000 beneficiaries across Eastern Visayas, including mini-BPSFs in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran.
Speaker Romualdez expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their bipartisan support in attending the event, underscoring the government’s commitment to providing essential services.
House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo thanked President Marcos, Speaker Romualdez, and Congress for ensuring that financial assistance reaches the people.
“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 commended the efforts, saying, “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 also expressed their appreciation for the government’s support, emphasizing the positive impact of the BPSF on their constituents.
“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,” Governor Petilla said.
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 mega BPSF event showcased the government’s commitment to ensuring that no region is left behind, as Speaker Romualdez reiterated the President’s goal of making government services more accessible to every Filipino. (Ronald Reyes)
Photo by BPSF
