ADMINISTRATION lawmakers yesterday said the presence of 167 lawmakers, including Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte last June 6 is proof that the UniTeam still stands.
Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said the presence of 167 House members, including the former president, who is a staunch ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, in the latest BPSF is “an unprecedented show of unity.”
“Buhay na buhay ang UniTeam sa Tagum City, Davao del Norte (UniTeam is alive in Tagum City, Davao del Norte!) What we have seen is an unprecedented show of unity among lawmakers for a program that highlights our commitment to bringing essential government services directly to the people, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind,” said Almario.
President Marcos Jr. and his first cousin and confidant, Speaker Martin Romualdez, are at loggerheads with former president Rodrigo Duterte who has accused the Chief Executive of being a “drug addict.”
The Speaker’s relationship with the Vice President has been deteriorating since last year because of various issues such as the House’s decision to remove her intelligence funds under this year’s national budget, but the President has decided to keep the Vice President in his Cabinet as concurrent education secretary.
The President and the Vice President ran under the UniTeam ticket in the 2022 national elections under a platform of unity.
Zambales Rep. Doris Maniquiz, who also attended the two-day Serbisyo Caravan, said the attendance of 167 House members “is an inspiring show of unity among members of the House.”
“During the event, we witnessed firsthand the positive impact of government welfare and social amelioration programs on the lives of Filipino families. Direktang tulong po ito, walang dinadaanang red tape o middlemen (This is direct assistance, no red tape or middlemen),” Maniquiz said.
Maniquiz said the BPSF showcased how legislative policies on the national budget, especially the ones for “ayuda” or financial assistance, “are effectively translated into tangible benefits for the people, reinforcing the importance of their work in Congress.”
“This gathering marks the largest attendance of House members at a BPSF event, underscoring the significance of unity and cooperation in achieving our national goals. Our presence in Davao del Norte not only demonstrates our support for the program but also our commitment to public service and community engagement,” she said.
Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio, who was also attended the event, said he has personally seen how the BPSF “serves as a crucial platform for connecting government services with the needs of the people.”
“The fair’s success in Davao del Norte reflects the positive outcomes of our collective efforts,” he said.
In the last BPSF, P913 million worth of government services and financial assistance was rolled out to some 250,000 residents in Davao del Norte, also the biggest number of beneficiaries recorded in all of the 19 installments of the fair.
BPSF, a primary program spearheaded by the President and the Speaker, has been instrumental in delivering financial aid, livelihood assistance, and other critical government services to various regions and provinces.
