BOTOLAN, Zambales — House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has launched the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in this town, the first ever in Central Luzon. The Speaker was assisted by Zambales 2nd District Rep. Doris "Nanay Bing" Maniquiz.
The opening program took place at the People's Plaza in Botolan where agencies conducted ceremonial turnover of over 22 programs for the first time in Central Luzon, which will run January 27 to 28.
Zambales Governor Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane Jr. also supported the event, as well as the two mayors of Botolan and Iba, Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane and Mayor Irenea Maniquiz-Biñan, who served as local hosts.
High level of service
In his speech before thousands of Zambaleños, Speaker Romualdez expressed his pleasure in being with the people of Zambales for the opening of the BPSF and his happiness in bringing the high level of service and various benefits of the program to the people of Zambales.
The said program, according to Romualdez, was a brainchild of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., even before he became President and was fleshed out during his presidential campaign. Now, this service initiative is currently reaping fruits of success.
The said program and its plans for the Filipino people aim to bring the government directly to the people, so they no longer need to go to Manila, but the agencies will go to every town in all provinces in the country, providing it’s the needed benefits.
The Lord’s Day
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Maniquiz expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying that “this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad each day.”
“Our province is overflowing with blessings because our province in Central Luzon is at the forefront, receiving fast, efficient, joyful, and comfortable service from the New Philippines Service Fair Caravan”.
"Today is a historical moment for us," she said. Maniquiz further stated that public servants from all levels of government, as well as public servants from Barangays, Sangguniang Kabataan, and Barangay Health Workers, came together in this Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair program.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to our President Marcos Jr. and our leader in Congress, House Speaker Romualdez, for being the reason why this program is here," she said.
"Zambales will be known not only for the excellent leadership of our Governor Hermogenes Jun Ebdane Jr., not just for our beautiful tourist destinations, not just because of the unity of the Zambaleños, but most of all, Zambales will be known for excellent public service through the BPSF," Maniquiz added.
170 various gov’t services
From the 46 national government agencies, over 170 services were offered benefitting more than 80,000 Zambaleños during the two-day celebration of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair - Zambales. A total of P500 million worth of programs and services were brought to the province, with P154 million in the form of cash assistance.
Among the services offered by the DSWD is the province-wide payout in all 13 municipalities, expected to benefit over 26,000 individual beneficiaries amounting to 52 million pesos.
Other activities in the entire province include various scholarship programs from DOLE and CHED, as well as livelihood assistance for different sectors for identified deserving clients throughout Zambales.
The lady solon also thanked the presence of Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" D. Gonzales, Jr., Rep. Ann York Bondoc, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, and other regional dignitaries.
Maniquiz also boasted about the assistance the province received from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Worker and Development (DSWD) which resulted in continuous payouts from Speaker Romualdez, including his wife Rep. Yedda Marie of the Tingog Party-list.
Meanwhile, on the first night, there was a Service Fair and Thanksgiving Concert featuring popular artists and singers such as Ogie Alcasid, Jona Viray, Jose, Wally and the Band, and the special guest performer Bamboo, held at the Zambales Sports Complex, Iba, Zambales, which drew no less than 35,000 people.
PHOTO CAPTION: House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep.Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (3rd from right) joins Zambales 2nd District Rep.Doris "Nanay Bing" Maniquiz and Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr, along with other officials of the province during the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Botolan town on Jan. 27. (Randy Datu)
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