President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) has provided around P17 billion in services and financial aid to 2.3 million Filipinos across 21 provinces within just a year of its inception in August 2023.
Speaking at the "Gabi ng Pagkakaisa," a celebration of the nationwide service fair's success during the BPSF Agency Summit 2024 on Monday in Pasay City, Marcos highlighted the significant impact of the initiative.
From Ilocos to Tawi-tawi, Marcos said that the BPSF was able to serve 21 provinces in the span of a year. It provided various services which amounted to over P12 billion, and gave almost P5 million in monetary assistance.
The fair has brought essential government services to Filipinos living far from agency offices, including permits, birth certificates, SSS and PhilHealth registrations, consultations, vaccinations, NBI clearances, driver's licenses, passports, loan applications, and more.
The President shared the initiative had begun with hospitals, as it is difficult for people to leave their jobs, their children, and look and pay for transportation.
"Kaya’t binaligtad natin, ba’t sila pa ang pupunta sa atin (That's why we reversed it: why would they have to come to us)?" he asked.
"Patunay lamang ito na marami tayong magagawa sa bayan basta’t tayo’y nagkakaisa," the President declared. "Kaya nating baguhin, pabilisin, at ilapit sa mga mamamayan ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan. Sabi nga nila, basta’t gugustuhin natin, mahahanapan natin ng paraan."
(This is evidence we can do many things for the country so long as we're united. We can renew, speed up, and bring government services closer to citizens. As they say, so long as we want it, we will find a way.)
Marcos expressed his gratitude to public servants, local government units (LGUs), and other partners for their dedication and tireless service, rain or shine. He urged them to maintain their commitment. He also revealed that the provinces served by the BPSF are now running their own "mini" service fairs.
It is the President's intention to visit the remaining 61 provinces and put up Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Centers in some provinces.
After exhorting government agencies, LGUs in particular, to develop and expand their services (suggesting to leverage technology in reaching citizens where they are), Marcos also encouraged Filipinos to join the BPSFs and seize the opportunity to better theirs and their families' lives.
"Maaasahan po ninyo na sa Bagong Pilipinas, ating itataguyod ang magandang kinabukasan sa bawat isang Pilipino," he vowed.
(You can count that in the New Philippines, we will promote a good future for every Filipino.)
The success of the BPSF should serve as inspiration, Marcos declared, as everyone works toward a "Bagong Pilipinas" where all have the opportunity to progress, succeed, and extend help to those in need.
