ILOILO – To acknowledge their contributions to local development and governance, Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPO) in Iloilo were honored at the annual Provincial BSPO Congress on Nov. 24.
The event, held at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City, saw the attendance of thousands of BSPOs. It was organized by the Provincial Population Office (PPO), led by acting head Atty. Ruel Von Superio.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. highlighted the crucial role of BSPOs in gathering data essential for the implementation of provincial government programs, projects, plans, and activities.
This data collection aligns with the MoRProGRes Iloilo initiative, standing for Movement for a Robust, Progressive, and Globally Competitive and Resilient Province of Iloilo.
“Development is data-based, and so is good governance. Good governance is data-based,” said Defensor.
He also acknowledged the BSPOs’ efforts in identifying Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the conflict in Israel, following his directive to local chief executives.
In his address, Defensor expressed gratitude to the BSPOs for their frontline service and sacrifices, attributing the province’s exceptional performance during the pandemic to their dedication.
Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales, executive director of the Commission on Population and Development, underscored the BSPOs’ role in providing the government with insights into societal conditions and challenges, including malnutrition and stunted growth among children, which impact their cognitive development and learning abilities.
She noted that BSPOs are also instrumental in collecting data on adolescent pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among Filipinos.
Bersales commended Defensor for establishing teen centers across the province. To date, 116 teen centers have been set up in secondary schools, equipped with necessary facilities.
“You set a standard we refer to in other provinces,” Bersales remarked, praising the proactive efforts in line with the Plan of Action for Philippine Population and Development for 2023–2028.
Superio expressed gratitude to the BSPOs for their unwavering dedication to their roles. He highlighted their contribution to Iloilo achieving zero open defecation status, a feat that earned the province the Galing Pook Award.
“We hope your passion and commitment continue to fuel the betterment of Iloilo,” Superio said./PN
