Following the success of the 1st Pag-asa Expo at the Manila City Jail yesterday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is planning to roll out the unified government service caravan to the local government units (LGUs) down to the barangay level.

According to DILG Assistant Secretary, Atty. Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo, the Department is mulling the adoption of the Pag-asa Expo by LGUs in hopes of bringing government services closer to the people.

“Hindi po titigil ang Pag-asa expo sa mga BJMP jails. Ibababa rin po namin ito sa mga LGUs,” Crisostomo said earlier Monday, during the launching of the DILG Pag-asa Expo: Serbisyo at Katarungan Caravan at the BJMP’s Manila City Jail Male and Female Dormitory. “Dahil ang gusto pong makita ni Secretary ay mailapit ang mga serbisyo sa mga tao at makuha po nila ito ng agaran,” she added.

Crisostomo stressed that the Pag-asa Expo is the Department’s initiative to cut down red tape practices in government by putting forward its services to the communities, in line with President Marcos’ call for accessible and efficient public services.

“Wala na po yung mga araw kung saan tayo ay pipili, kung saan tayo ay iiyak para lang makakuha ng serbisyo, dahil pera ng Pilipino ito, serbisyo na dapat ay para sa mga Pilipino. For the people, of the people, and to the people,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Secretary also hopes to continue the roll-out of the Pag-asa Expo to BJMP Jails across the country to end the stigma on PDLs by giving them second chances in life.

“I think this is the epitome of compassionate justice, na magbigyan ng second chance ang mga taong ito [PDLs] na hindi po usually nabibigyan. No one shall be left behind,” Crisostomo explained.

“Ang metric nga po na laging sinasabi ni Secretary (Jonvic Remulla), ‘wag tayong tumingin sa numero, tumingin tayo sa mga taong natulungan,” she emphasized.

Last Monday, about 200 PDLs were provided with Barangay IDs which they can use as supplementary identification for their application to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Additionally, PDLs who are set for release will gain assistance in acquiring NBI Clearances with “No Derogatory Record” through the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for purposes such as employment, visa applications and other official requirements.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Aims-to-Roll-Out-Pag-asa-Expo-to-LGUs/NC-2025-1207