TACLOBAN CITY— Samar officials expressed their gratitude to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for bringing the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) to their province, benefiting tens of thousands of residents.
The two-day event, held on November 22-23 at the Calbayog Sports Complex in Calbayog City, attracted attendees from across the province and beyond, thanks to the operational Calbayog Airport. A total of 61 congressmen from various parts of the country also attended the fair.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan highlighted the impact of the event, noting that over 60,000 residents from across the province availed of essential services and financial assistance.
“This administration, under President Bongbong Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, truly understands our needs, particularly in agriculture and education,” Governor Tan said during the event’s opening ceremony.
Samar 1st District Representative Stephen James Tan, whose district includes Calbayog City, revealed that he and his brother, Representative Michael Reynolds Tan, had personally invited Speaker Romualdez to bring the BPSF to Samar.
Rep. Tan reminded attendees of Romualdez’s long-standing support for the province, even before becoming House Speaker.
“He was not yet Speaker at that time, but he was one of the principal authors of the bill creating the Samar Island Medical Center back in 2021. That’s how much our Speaker loves the people of Samar,” Rep. Tan said.
He added that Romualdez, as Speaker, ensured the allocation of funds for the proposed Samar Island Medical Center in Calbayog City.
Congress has earmarked P500 million in the 2024 national budget for the construction of what is envisioned to be the largest medical facility on Samar Island.
Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy also thanked Speaker Romualdez for choosing Calbayog City as the venue for the BPSF.
“We are grateful to President Bongbong Marcos and Speaker Romualdez for bringing government services closer to the people, ensuring fast, efficient, and accessible service delivery,” Mayor Uy said in his welcome message.
The event facilitated the distribution of approximately P716 million worth of services and financial assistance provided by various government agencies.
Among the programs offered was the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which distributed P5,000 each to over 21,000 beneficiaries.
Samar officials emphasized the significance of the BPSF in addressing the needs of their communities and bringing essential services closer to the people.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL AMAZONA)
