House rolls out Suporta sa Bayan public assistance desk

The House of Representatives has rolled out a public assistance program that aims to help individuals seeking assistance from certain government agencies.

The Suporta sa Bayan desk at the House of Representatives can cater to individuals seeking assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

"Kasi marami pa ring lumalapit dito sa Kongreso para humingi ng tulong. So ang programa ay para ma-facilitate. DSWD pa rin, DOH pa rin ang assistance pero fina-facilitate namin. Kami ang nagche-check ng requirements para pagdating doon, kumpleto na," House Deputy Secretary General Edgardo Pangilinan told GMA Integrated News in an interview on Thursday.

(Many people come to the House to ask for help. So this program is to facilitate. The DSWD and the DOH will still provide the assistance, but we will facilitate them. We will check their requirements to that when they get there it's complete.)

The Suporta sa Bayan help desk is open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During Holy Week, Pangilinan said, the desk is open on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday.

"Bukas po ang House of Representatives para umalalay sa inyo, sumuporta sa inyo sa inyong mga pangangailangan. Kami po ay tutulong para mapadali ang pagkuha ninyo ng serbisyo ng ating mga ahensiya," Pangilinan said.

(The House of Representatives is open to help you and support you in your needs. We will help expedite the process of receiving services from the agencies.)

Pangilinan said the program is an initiative of House Speaker Faustino Dy III and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos.

Norma Mahilum, a senior citizen of Quezon City, lined up at the Suporta sa Bayan desk earlier today.

She burst into tears after transacting with the desk, saying she didn't know at first where to seek financial and medical help.

Mahilum has an enlarged heart, her husband has prostate cancer, and they have a child with Down Syndrome.

A tearful Norma Mahilum has her blood pressure taken by Suporta sa Bayan personnel at the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Tina Panganiban-Perez/GMA Integrated News

She said they lost their livelihood when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and they have not recovered since.

"Nagiging emotional po ako kasi ang laking bagay sa akin na katulad ko na merong tutulong na maaasahan ko po sa pangangailangan ko po," Mahilum told GMA Integrated News.

(I am getting emotional because it's a big thing for someone like me that I can rely on help with my needs.)

Pangilinan also disclosed that the House of Representatives is also planning a program that will provide legal assistance to the public. — BM, GMA Integrated News