Around PHP1.2 billion worth of programs and services will be given to residents of this province and neighboring areas during the 12th Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), which kicked off Sunday.

More than 150,000 beneficiaries are expected to benefit from the two-day caravan, which was formally opened by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other members of the House of Representatives from Mindanao.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, Romualdez said that some 329 services and programs will be offered by 55 agencies, while PHP200 million cash assistance will be distributed among verified beneficiaries.

“This is the promise of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and we will continue to provide more services in the different parts of the country. We promise to bring the BPSF programs and services closer to the people,” the Speaker said.

The BPSF is the country’s biggest service caravan aimed at providing major government services to less fortunate Filipinos.

The caravan features the government’s flagship programs such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels and driver’s license registration.

“You don’t need to go to Manila to avail of any government services. We will bring the government services closer to you. This is the vision of our President and we at the Congress will support him in this initiative,” Romualdez

Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu thanked President Marcos for allowing the province to host the 12th BPSF.

“We are fortunate and blessed that Sultan Kudarat was chosen to host the 12th BPSF. This is a dream turned into reality and we are honored and privileged and more excited about what will come since this is just only the beginning,” Mangudadatu said.

The governor reiterated his support for the Bagong Pilipinas program.

“We express our commitment and support to Bagong Pilipinas as it is the best Pilipinas we can give to the Filipino people. When we work hand in hand, we will deliver good services to our people,” he added. (PNA)