By Recthie T. Paculba, PIA-10
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Boosting efforts to implement an all-inclusive plan for economic and social transformation, the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), to be led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., is set to launch here on May 16–17, bringing over P286 million worth of services and aid, including P180 million in cash assistance, to over 30,000 families, farmers, and fisherfolk who are greatly affected by the pandemic.
“This is not the end of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair because, in the succeeding days, magpadayon ang pagbubo og ayuda ug programa dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro hangtud matapos ang tuig (aid and programs will continue to pour here in Cagayan de Oro until the end of the year). So, this is just the beginning,” said Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada of the House of Representatives during the BPSF press conference on May 15.
The 17th leg of the fair throughout the country will be held at multiple venues, including the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Gym, Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras Memorial Hall, West Central Elementary School, and Pimentel Convention Center.
Over 213 services from 38 participating national government agencies will be offered, encompassing social, health, agricultural, livelihood, educational, and other essential services. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will handle the payout to over 26,000 individual AICS beneficiaries across Cagayan de Oro City, amounting to P168 million.
“Dako kaayo nga garbo sa atong syudad nga ma-host ang not just the president of our republic but also the House of Representatives. Kung atong hunahunaon, muabot og 35,000–40,000 Kagay-anons ang maserbisyohan ani nga event in just two days, so grabe gyud kaayo ni nga blessings para sa atoa,” said Cagayan de Oro City First District Rep. Lordan Suan, who also serves as the event’s local host.
(It is our city’s great pride to host not just the president of our republic but also the House of Representatives. If we think about it, 35,000–40,000 Kagay-anons will be served at this event in just two days, so this is really a great blessing for us.)
One of the fair’s highlights is the Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program, which targets 3,000 beneficiaries and provides P2,000 in cash and 25kg of premium rice per beneficiary. House Speaker Martin Romualdez will also distribute 200,000 kilograms of rice to identified beneficiaries, reinforcing his commitment to aid amid rising rice prices. The CARD Program will take place at the West Central Elementary School Gym on May 16.
The Start-up, Investments, Business Opportunities, and Livelihood (SIBOL) Program, which will support 3,000 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) business owners with P5,000 in financial assistance and 5kg of rice each, will take place at the West Central Elementary School Gym on May 17.
In terms of assistance to learners, 2,000 tertiary and vocational education students will receive P2,000 every six months, as well as additional scholarships through the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Programme (ISIP).
To further provide the public with a deeper understanding and appreciation of nationalism and nation-building among Filipinos, BPSF will also highlight the Unlad Pinas Program and Pagkakaisa Concert, which is a free concert at the Pelaez Sports Complex on May 17 and is expected to draw a crowd of at least 10,000 people.
With over 41 confirmed district and party-list representatives across all regions, the BPSF Cagayan de Oro leg is a significant event, highlighting the government’s commitment to bringing essential services directly to the people. (RTP/PIA-10)
