By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The House of Representatives’ Suporta sa Bayan Desk (SBD) has facilitated more than P171.5 million worth of government assistance to thousands of Filipinos during its first 50 days of operation, underscoring Congress’s effort to make public service more accessible and responsive.
Data released by the House on Wednesday showed that the assistance desk approved 3,592 requests from March 18 to June 22, benefiting individuals seeking financial, medical, and funeral assistance.
During the period, the SBD received 3,738 requests, averaging 72 clients daily. Of these, 3,103 came from walk-in applicants, while 635 were endorsed by members of the House of Representatives.
The desk recorded a 96-percent approval and referral rate, with approved requests endorsed to partner agencies for processing and assistance.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III hailed the program’s initial accomplishments, saying it reflects the chamber’s commitment to serving ordinary Filipinos.
“When we established the Suporta sa Bayan Desk, we said this House would be a House of the People — Alagang Kongreso — and in just 50 days, P171 million in real help was delivered to many of our kababayan who are in need. That is what public service looks like,” Dy said.
The assistance provided covered a wide range of needs, including cash aid, medicines, laboratory tests, hospital bills, dialysis, chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and funeral expenses.
Dy noted that the program, conceptualized together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, was designed as a one-stop facilitation center to help Filipinos access government aid without unnecessary delays.
“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,” he said.
“When someone asks for help from the government, the process should not be made difficult. What we want is a quick, orderly, and humane service. That is the goal of the Suporta sa Bayan Desk.”
For his part, Marcos said the initiative demonstrates how Congress can serve as a frontline partner in delivering 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,” Marcos said.
“The achievement of SBD in its first 50 days of operation underscores the solid commitment of the House of Representatives to making government aid faster, more compassionate, and more accessible to our people,” he added.
The House clarified that the SBD does not replace existing government programs. Instead, it functions as a pre-processing and coordination center that assists applicants in completing documentary requirements before their requests are referred to agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Of the approved requests, 2,376 were processed through the DOH, while 1,216 were referred to the DSWD.
The Suporta sa Bayan Desk forms part of the House leadership’s broader Alagang Kongreso initiative launched in March under Speaker Dy. The three-pronged program also includes Dakilang Yugto, which provides support services for retired House Secretariat personnel, and the HRep Executive Check-Up Program for current employees.
House leaders said the initiative aims to ensure that both House personnel and ordinary citizens receive timely support while promoting a more compassionate and service-oriented institution.
“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,” Dy said.
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