Manila: The House of Representatives' Suporta sa Bayan Desk (SBD) has approved 3,592 requests and released PHP171,498,700 in assistance within 50 days of its inception to support Filipinos in need.
According to Philippines News Agency, the SBD accomplishment report from March 18 to June 22 highlighted the processing of 3,738 requests-3,103 from walk-in constituents and 635 endorsed by House members-with 96 percent of these requests approved. During this period, SBD served an average of 72 clients daily, with approved funding totaling PHP175,814,200, of which PHP171,498,700 has already reached recipients.
Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III emphasized that the figures reflect substantial support. "Every single one of those 3,592 approvals is a Filipino family that didn't have to go home empty-handed, patients who can now afford their medicines, their dialysis, their operation," Dy stated in a news release. He further highlighted that the Suporta sa Bayan Desk aims to provide faster, orderly, and compassionate service to those approaching the government for help.
The SBD, launched on March 17 under the leadership of Dy and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos of Ilocos Norte, functions as a one-stop facilitation center. It helps applicants prepare necessary documents before their requests are endorsed to partner agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Marcos praised the 96 percent approval rate, viewing it as evidence that Congress can effectively partner in social services. "A 96 percent approval rate is not just a statistic; it is a guarantee that when someone who needs help enters the doors of SBD, they leave with a fighting chance," he said. He highlighted the achievement as a testament to the House of Representatives' commitment to enhancing government aid.
In its initial months, the SBD served 507 clients in March, 1,138 in April, 1,008 in May, and 939 in the first 22 days of June. The majority of approved requests, totaling 2,376, were processed through the DOH, with the remaining 1,216 handled by the DSWD. Assistance spanned various medical and social needs, including cash relief, medical treatments, and funeral aid.
The SBD operates as a dedicated pre-processing and coordination unit without replacing existing agency services. It functions on a first-come, first-served basis from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until all in line are served.
Dy affirmed the House's commitment to enhancing this initiative for broader accessibility to government aid. "As long as there are Filipinos seeking assistance, the House will continue to find ways to serve them better. The Suporta sa Bayan Desk is proof that when government institutions work together, we can provide faster, more meaningful support to our people," he concluded.
