MAASIN CITY-Vice Gov. Rosa Emilia Mercado recognized the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) as an opportunity for people to keep high hopes and stand another chance in life for a fresh start.

Together with the provincial government, we are one with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez in giving Filipinos a renewed hope for better beginnings through the Bagong Pilipinas campaign,” she said in her inspirational message on August 2 at the Tomas Oppus Pilot School Gym in Brgy. Mantahan, this city.

Mercado compared BPSF to the outreach program initiated by the provincial government called Project MIAN, which stands for Moving Initiatives and Actions Nearer to Southern Leyteños, among other service-oriented definitions.

Both programs aimed to bring government services directly to field locations in municipalities, making them more accessible to the people.

This approach saved time, money, and effort by reducing the need for individuals to visit government offices personally for various transactions or to access public services.

“In fact, in the provincial government, we have already done Project MIAN because we knew that the distribution of programs could be faster if the government went directly to the people. We are an ordinary province but do extraordinary things for our people. You, the people, are our number one priority for service,” she said.

At least 14 national government agencies participated in the BPSF in the province, simultaneously held in other provinces across the region.

The government aims to engage with communities and demonstrate that services are being delivered directly to the people at the national and provincial levels.

DOLE, TESDA, DOH, DTI, PNP, NBI, LTO, PHILHEALTH, GSIS, COMELEC, PSA, SSS, DICT, and PAO are among the agencies that collaborated with the provincial government.
Mercado and Jackie Maceda, the provincial focal person of Tingog Partylist, led the collaboration at the fair.

DOLE’s TUPAD workers, all wearing colorful uniforms, take turns signing their names on vouchers to receive the wages they earned after more than a week’s labor. The payout is one of the highlights of the BPSF. (Photo by PIA Southern Leyte)

During the event, Junel Respecia, 28, from Brgy. Sabang, Malitbog, secured his lost PhilHealth ID.

In addition, two elderly individuals from Padre Burgos town expressed gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for their inclusion in the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged (TUPAD) program and received P4,500.00 each. (AAC/MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY – The implementation of the PHP118.75 million worth of anti-poverty projects for the agriculture sector in Eastern Visayas is now in full swing, benefiting 125 farmers’ associations, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office here reported on Thursday.

As of middle of 2024, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) regional program management support office said that out of the P118.75 million allocation this year, a total of PHP88.7 million was obligated in the first half of the year.

At least 34.4 percent of the obligated outlay, or PHP30 million, had been disbursed. Eastern Visayas ranked 5th in overall performance in the mid-year review, according to the DA regional office.

“SAAD Eastern Visayas envisioned farmer groups by the year 2028 to be self-sustaining and successfully operating the enterprises under clustering, thus achieving food security and alleviating them from poverty,” DA-SAAD regional assistant focal person Larry Sultan said in a statement.

This year’s funding carried out 102 livelihood projects, 60 social preparation activities, 44 market-related training, and 54 specialized training for farmers’ groups across the region.
For 2024, SAAD Eastern Visayas, which covers 60 towns from the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, identified various livelihood packages related to corn, high-value crops, livestock, and poultry.
Sultan said they are committed to fast-track deliveries of production support, ensuring the timely allocation of funds for projects.

Market connections and other market-related training will also be completed by the third quarter of the year in preparation for the establishment of community-based enterprises.
This year’s allocation is higher than the P87.1 million budget last year for the 65 livelihood projects under the SAAD program in Eastern Visayas.

The program focuses on towns belonging to the 5th and 6th income classes, guided by four core components: social preparation, food production and livelihood, marketing assistance and enterprise development, and program management.

The project prioritizes the marginalized rural farming and fishing communities in the country, targeting two essential services that advance not only the welfare of the disadvantaged segment of the population but also the local agricultural development of the rural communities.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

Part of community health initiatives promotion

SAN JORGE, Samar– Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again reminded Filipinos to strengthen bayanihan efforts in their communities and prioritize their health and well-being amid challenging times.

On Saturday, August 3, Go visited San Jorge as part of the province’s week-long festivities in anticipation of its Araw ng Samar celebration.

During his visit, Go joined a gathering of community health frontliners to promote the importance of access to healthcare especially for disadvantaged sectors in the grass roots.

Gathered at the San Jorge Municipal Covered Court, Go partnered with the provincial government to provide much-needed support to healthcare frontliners.
In his speech, the senator reiterated the importance of working together for the betterment of their communities.

“Ang importante po dito ay magtulungan lang po tayo at magmalasakit. Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil andito lang ang gobyerno palaging magseserbisyo at magmamalasakit sa inyo. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan,” reaffirmed Go.

“Pakiusap ko sa mga local officials, huwag ninyong pabayaan ang mga kababayan natin diyan, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga mahihirap, dahil kayo lang ang matatakbuhan nila,” he continued.

Go and his Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, shirts, basketballs, volleyballs, vitamins, and snacks to 1,000 individuals, composed of Barangay Health Workers (BHW), daycare workers, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS). The senator also gave away bicycles, shoes, mobile phones, and watches to select beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, through the collective efforts of Senator Go in partnership with fellow Senator Robin Padilla and the local government led by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Congressmen Stephen James “Jimboy” T. Tan and Reynolds Michael Tan, Vice Governor Arnold Tan, Mayor Leoncio De Guia, and Vice Mayor Jay G. Bisnar, among others, financial assistance was given to each beneficiary.

Go’s advocacy also extends to the indispensable role of community health frontliners who act as the first point of contact for healthcare in their communities. To ensure fair compensation and benefits for these frontliners, he introduced Senate Bill No. 427, also known as the Barangay Health Workers Compensation.

The proposed law aims to improve compensation benefits for BHWs if enacted into law and recognizes their invaluable contributions in delivering primary healthcare services, raising health awareness, and safeguarding the well-being of the community.

It aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call to prioritize the welfare of BHWs, especially given their significant contributions during the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. (PR)