By Mariela Angella Oladive
With an investment of P900 million in programs and services and P160 million cash assistance, the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair expects to benefit approximately 80,000 individuals in Iloilo during its two-day activity that commences today, December 9, in Guimbal, Iloilo.
Hosted by 1st district Rep Janette L. Garin, Miagao Mayor Oscar “Richard” S. Garin, and Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” A. Ang Jr., the provincial service fair marks the ninth installment of the service caravan across the entire Philippines.
In a press conference on December 8, Rep. Garin expressed her gratitude to the current administration for choosing Guimbal as the host venue for the biggest fair in the region. She highlighted the numerous programs and services offered to different municipalities from different districts.
The event, debuting in Western Visayas, boasts the participation of about 51 national government agencies with over 160 services and programs running until Sunday, December 10.
Among the participating agencies is the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which will offer free legal services on agrarian legal matters and other related laws; the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to give rice cultivation technical assistance; the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offering a province-wide payout in the 27 municipalities benefiting around 33,000 individuals; and many others including easier access to passport and driver’s license processing.
While cash assistance will also be provided to different sectors like farmers and students among others by concern agencies, noting they are qualified recipients.
“The idea of Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair is to bring services closer to the people. Ang serbisyo sang gobyerno indi lang na dapat iya available and accessible, but it should also be prompt. So, through this program, it’s actually a call on all government agencies, ‘aksyon agad,’” Rep. Garin said.
The opening program will kick off at 10:00 AM at Guimbal National High School wherein agencies will also be conducting a ceremonial turnover of over 30 programs.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will represent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will also serve as the Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honor.
The other guests include Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Javier Herbosa, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera II, Department of Migrant Workers OIC-Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr., are expected to grace the event.
The festivities will continue into the night with a Pasasalamat Concert at the Guimbal National High School Track and Field Oval, drawing an expected crowd of at least 10,000 people.
The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair promises to be a transformative experience for the province of Iloilo, setting a new standard for community-focused service events nationwide.
Everyone interested in participating in the service caravan is encouraged to pre-register on the portal www.bagongpilipinastayo.com for easier access to the venue.
