President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the further expansion of the “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair” (BPSF) in Santa Cruz, Laguna on Saturday where government services were offered.

Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., who represented President Marcos, said the BPSF aims to provide reliable government services.

“Ito po ay alinsunod sa adhikain ng ating Pangulo na maisulong ang isang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan naipa-aabot ang paglilingkod ng gobyerno sa paraang mabilis, maayos, at abot-kamay ng bawat Pilipino (This in in line with the objective of the President to push for a New Philippines where government services are fast, orderly and within reach for every Filipino),” Lagdameo said in his speech.

“Tandaan po ninyo na ang gobyerno ay palaging buong-puso at handang umagapay sa inyo sa lahat ng oras, lalong-lalo na sa mga kababayan nating pinakanangangailangan (Always remember that the government is wholeheartedly ready to assist you at all times, especially those who are in need),” Lagdameo added.

Government services such as application for renewal of application and other requests for assistance were provided during the BPSF, which was participated in by national and local government offices.

Coinciding with the BPSF is the launch of the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program, undertaken in collaboration with the House of Representatives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The CARD Program simultaneously kicked off in Metro Manila’s 33 legislative districts, with 10,000 poor and vulnerable beneficiaries each for a total of 330,000 recipients. The distribution will be divided into four payouts.

There were also 3,000 beneficiaries in the City of Biñan and 2,000 in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna province.

The President led the BPSF national launch in Nabua, Camarines Sur on Sept. 23, simultaneously held in Monkayo, Davao de Oro; Tolosa, Leyte; and Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

“Ang programang ito ay isa lamang sa mga unang hakbangin ng pamahalaan upang magkaroon ng bagong pag-asa at bagong simula ang mga Pilipino. Magkakahiwalay man ang ating mga isla, pinagbubuklod-buklod naman tayo ng isang diwa at isang pangarap – isang bagong Pilipinas para sa bagong Pilipino (This program is just one of the first initiatives of the government to give Filipinos new hope and a new beginning. Our islands may be apart from one another, but we are united by one spirit and one dream – a new Philippines for the new Filipino),” the President said in his speech then at Camarines Sur Polytechnic College gymnasium.

Lagdameo thanked local officials who made the project possible and asked for their continued cooperation to support all initiatives of the national government.

He also reminded officials to keep an open heart in serving the Filipino people.

“Makasisiguro po kayo na hindi titigil ang ating administrasyon, sa pangunguna ng ating mahal na Pangulo, sa pagsisilbi sa bayan at sa pagtiyak na lahat ng mga mamayan ay kasama natin sa kaunlaran (Be assured that the administration led by our beloved President will never stop serving you and we will be together towards progress),” Lagdameo said. (PNA)