The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Davao City has broadened its services to include “zero billing” program for all patients of a government hospital in Davao City and distribution of a P10,000-cash aid to the city’s “poorest of the poor.”
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, one of the major proponents of the BPSF, said two new programs seek to provide medical aid to those needing health services in government hospitals and financial subsidies to the marginalized residents of the city.
Romualdez visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City to interact with hospital officials, staff, and patients.
He announced that upon the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., P50 million from the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) will be downloaded to SPMC to pay for the bills of all patients seeking medical attention from Sept. 5 and 6 or during the two-day BPSF in Davao City.
“I brought along the congressmen of the 19th Congress with me so that Davao City can see that we love Davaoeños very much. Because of this, we at the House are downloading the P50 million MAIP funds for SPMC so that all the expenses of the patients confined here as of Sept. 5 and 6, 2024 will be paid,” Romualdez said in Filipino.
“And all of you will receive 10 kilos of rice,” he added.
According to him, Christmas came early in Davao City, with the P6,000 employees of SPMC taking home P10,000 each., courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The BPSF has so far rolled out P1.2 billion in government programs and cash aid to 250,000 beneficiaries.
Romualdez also visited the Pediatric Cancer Ward of the SPMC where he handed out toys and meal tickets to the young patients.
The cash aid program for the “poorest of the poor” in Davao City, called “Tulong Para sa Dabawenyo,” was held at the University of Southeastern Philippines’ parking lot.
The Speaker said 250 beneficiaries, composed of homeless ones, mendicants, and indigents, each received P10,000 from DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), plus 20 kilos of rice apiece.
Romualdez intends to coordinate with the Philippine Statistics Authority to register the unlisted poorest of the poor.
He said these two programs validate the Marcos administration’s campaign for Bagong Pilipinas.
“We are expanding the services provided by the government for our President’s New Philippines program, where all citizens will be covered by public services, leaving no one behind,” Romualdez said.
