Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto officially launched the Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) Caravan, a pioneering initiative designed to significantly enhance the accessibility of essential government services for all Filipinos. The inaugural “one-stop shop” event was held at Robinsons Manila.
The GOCC Caravan directly addresses the President’s directive to make government services more accessible to the people. “This caravan is a concrete response to our President’s directive to bring government services closer to the people. Instead of the public coming to our offices, we are now approaching and engaging with them directly. This is not just a program; it is proof of the government’s determination to make the system more inclusive and humane,” Secretary Recto stated during the launch. He emphasized that many public services remain unknown to citizens, and the caravan is “our way of enabling our people to maximize the benefits the government can offer.”
The initiative, themed “Serbisyo sa Bayan, Hatid ng GOCCs, Kaakbay ang DOF” (Service to the Nation, Delivered by GOCCs, Partnering with DOF), is a collaborative project of the Department of Finance (DOF), in partnership with Robinsons Malls, and in collaboration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and participating GOCCs. By setting up booths in widely accessible locations like Robinsons Malls, the Caravan aims to deliver frontline government services directly to communities.
The launch event featured booths from ten of the country’s largest GOCCs, offering a comprehensive array of services. These included the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). Services ranged from addressing claim inquiries, facilitating loan applications, and resolving membership concerns to providing vital financial literacy sessions aimed at empowering Filipinos towards financial freedom.
In addition to the GOCCs, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) offered tax consultations, ensuring the public is well-informed about tax policies and processes. The Small Business Corporation (SBC) was also on hand to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with their loan application concerns. Furthermore, the National Development Company (NDC) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) participated to promote investment opportunities and highlight the nation’s flagship development projects.
DOF Corporate Sector and Strategic Infrastructure Group (CSSIG) Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan reiterated the government’s commitment. “We want citizens to feel that the government is not just in offices or faraway agencies, but present, proactive, and committed to serve,” he said. The DOF CSSIG is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation, fiscal soundness, and consistent value generation of GOCCs for the Filipino people.
The Department of Finance plans to expand the GOCCs Caravan to more locations nationwide in the coming months, making government services more accessible to even more communities across the Philippines.
