With over P1.2 billion in cash and kind
TACLOBAN CITY – The two-day ‘Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)’ held in the city and in some major centers in Eastern Visayas, concluding on Saturday, August 3, is seen to benefit the local economy in addition to assisting the intended beneficiaries with various services offered during the event.
According to the organizers of the BPSF, the two-day event will bring in P1.2 billion worth of programs and services to the region, benefiting 253,000 individuals.
Of this amount, P807 million is in the form of cash assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), among others.
Additionally, about 2.2 million kilograms of rice were distributed to the beneficiaries during the event.
The BPSF event in the region, particularly in Tacloban City, was attended by more than 240 congressmen, led by Leyte Congressman and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and all six governors of the region.
To ensure the safety of students amid the traffic caused by the event, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the Speaker’s cousin, suspended classes at all levels.
In Tacloban City, the event was held at various venues, with more than 15,000 beneficiaries expected to attend to avail themselves of services and cash payouts.
Similar event was also held in Catbalogan City in Samar; Catarman in Northern Samar; Maasin City in Southern Leyte; and Borongan City in Eastern Samar.
Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list group mentioned that 56 government agencies participated in the event, which he said brings government services closer to the people while simultaneously impacting the region’s economy.
“Aside from bringing government services closer to the people and clarifying their most urgent needs, it has a significant impact on the local economy,” he said.(JOEY A. GABIETA)
