PBBM’S BPSF WORTH P75 MILLION BENEFITS 15K SHOWBIZ WORKERS, TALENTS

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — More than 15,000 local showbiz workers and talents received a significant boost on Sunday (13 Oct 2024) through the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. The initiative, worth P75 million, was launched at the PhilSports Arena (commonly known as ULTRA) in Pasig City.

The two-day event, which concludes on Monday, October 14, 2024, titled “Paglinang sa Industriya ng Paglikha,” aims to uplift professionals from the film, television, theater, and radio sectors by offering a range of essential services and benefits.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, a key proponent of the BPSF, highlighted that the program has already served more than 2.5 million families, providing over P10 billion in government services and aid across more than 24 areas in the Philippines.

“Ang BPSF ay isa sa mga programa ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos na layuning matulungan ang bawat sektor ng ating lipunan, kabilang ang mga nasa creative industry. Ipinapakita nito na hindi nakakalimutan ng pamahalaan ang ating mga manggagawa sa larangan ng sining at media,” Romualdez said in his message to the beneficiaries.

Among the notable speakers at the event were Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo, Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Quezon City Representatives Arjo Atayde and Franz Pumaren, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, actor Dingdong Dantes of Aktor PH, and Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Other industry figures like Boots Anson Roa from MOWELFUND and Paolo Villaluna of the Film Academy of the Philippines also attended.

Several lawmakers, including Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo, Manila City Representative Ernix Dionisio, and Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting, were also present, among others.

Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada Jr. shared that under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP), eligible beneficiaries received P5,000 in cash assistance. True to his “Mr. Rice” moniker, Romualdez distributed 75,000 kilos of rice, with each beneficiary receiving 5 kilos.

Gabonada further explained that this financial assistance is part of a broader effort to support Filipino professionals across all sectors. Additionally, the BPSF aims to enhance the skills of the creative industry through various training sessions and workshops, helping participants innovate and thrive in their fields.

The event, involving 23 government agencies, provided access to more than 100 essential services, including permits, licenses, and health services vital to professionals in the creative industry.

“Sa bawat serbisyong hatid ng BPSF, layunin nating gawing mas madali at abot-kamay ang mga oportunidad para sa ating mga manggagawa sa creative sector,” Romualdez emphasized.

The fair also served as a platform for networking and collaboration within the industry, fostering innovation and growth in the creative sector. Training programs from agencies like TESDA and DOLE ensured that beneficiaries gained the necessary skills to succeed.

The BPSF also underscored the importance of supporting Filipino arts and media, in line with the Marcos administration’s vision of promoting sustainable growth across all sectors.

“Nandito ang ating gobyerno para siguraduhing may sapat na suporta at oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga nasa creative industry,” Romualdez added.

The event offered cultural and creative workshops to help attendees hone their skills in arts, media, and entertainment, with the aim of building a stronger creative ecosystem that supports economic growth and cultural identity.

In addition to the cash assistance, the BPSF partnered with industry stakeholders to provide job fairs and industry support programs tailored to the needs of creative professionals. The overarching goal of the initiative is to offer a comprehensive approach to uplifting the creative industry by making resources and opportunities more accessible.

Romualdez expressed hope that the BPSF’s initiatives would lead to long-term benefits for the creative sector. “Naniniwala ako na ang mga programa ng BPSF ay magbibigay-daan sa mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan sa creative sector, at magdudulot ng mas matatag na kinabukasan para sa kanila,” he said.

ia/mnm