The House of Representatives is improving how it serves Filipinos in need through the Suporta sa Bayan Desk (SBD), a centralized program that streamlines requests for assistance so that these can be provided faster and more efficiently.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the initiative is part of the chamber’s efforts to make government support more responsive and accessible, especially for those who come to Congress as a last resort.
“This is about making sure that every Filipino who seeks help from the House of Representatives is properly taken care of.”
“This is about making sure that every Filipino who seeks help from the House of Representatives is properly taken care of. That is precisely why it is called the House of the People, where service should be felt by our kababayan. Ito ang alagang Kongreso,” the Speaker from Isabela said.
In an interview, House Deputy Secretary General Edgardo Pangilinan said the SBD was established under the leadership of Speaker Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos to address the steady stream of individuals seeking assistance from Congress.
“Ang layunin po ay patuloy na maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan,” Pangilinan told House reporters.
He said the SBD was designed to streamline the steady flow of Filipinos seeking help from Congress and better facilitate their needs.
Pangilinan explained that while agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH) provide the actual assistance, the SBD ensures requests are properly processed before endorsement.
“Hindi kami, ang DSWD, ang DOH pa rin ang magbibigay ng assistance. Pero pina-facilitate namin, kami nagche-check ng requirements para pagdating doon kumpleto na. May coordination kami sa kanila para alam nila na ‘pag galing dito maayos na ‘yung mga dokumento,” he said.
To ensure proper assessment of needs, Pangilinan said the House hired social workers to evaluate applicants. He said the operations have been ongoing since March 18 and are intended to continue indefinitely to serve those in need.
Pangilinan explained the desk operates on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodating around 70 individuals daily from 8 a.m. until the last person in line is served, usually by late afternoon.
Despite austerity measures limiting House personnel to a two-day onsite work arrangement, he said the SBD continues to operate from Monday to Thursday.
“Kami po ay tutulong para mapadali ang inyong pagkuha ng mga serbisyo ng ating mga ahensya.”
“Pinapaalam po namin sa inyong lahat na bukas po ang House of Representatives para umalalay sa inyo, sumuporta sa inyong mga pangangailangan. Kami po ay tutulong para mapadali ang inyong pagkuha ng mga serbisyo ng ating mga ahensya,” Pangilinan said.
He added that the House is working to expand services, including free legal assistance through a partnership being finalized with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Quezon City.
The House official also announced a libreng sakay initiative to help commuters cope with rising costs.
Pangilinan said the House deploys shuttle buses along the San Jose del Monte–Welcome Rotonda–Fairview Terraces route. The service operates on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays during rush hours, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Through the SBD, the House aims to institutionalize a more responsive, coordinated, and people-centered approach to public assistance, ensuring that those in need are guided and supported every step of the way.
