2,500 Iloilo BSPOs gather for 2025 congress

By Mariela Angella Oladive

More than 2,500 Barangay Service Point Officers from 43 local government units in Iloilo gathered at the Iloilo Convention Center on Nov. 17 for the 2025 BSPO Congress.

The event, themed “Empowering BSPOs: Stronger Families. Stronger Communities. Stronger Nation,” honored long-serving volunteers and recognized outstanding LGUs for excellence in population data management.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the distribution of plaques and cash incentives to BSPOs who have served for 10 to 40 years.

Volunteers with 40 years of service received PHP5,000, while those with 30 and 20 years received PHP3,000 and PHP2,000, respectively.

Two BSPOs were honored for 40 years of service, 11 for 30 years, 33 for 20 years, and 38 for 10 years.

The province also recognized LGUs for outstanding practices in managing and utilizing population data, underscoring their role in improving local planning and program implementation.

BEST-MANAGED POPULATION DATA BANK
• Champion: Dumangas
• 2nd place: Guimbal
• 3rd place: Pototan

BEST IN STATISTICAL DATA BOARD
• Champion: Maasin
• 2nd place: Dumangas
• 3rd place: Zarraga

SPECIAL AWARDS
• Most promising in population data banking and management: San Enrique
• Most promising in statistical data board: San Miguel

Defensor emphasized the critical role of BSPOs in generating accurate data to guide provincial programs and policies.

“We appreciate the work that you have done for the province. Because every program that we implement is data-driven. And we cannot start if we do not have the data to guide us,” he said.

Provincial Population Office chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio also commended the BSPOs for their barangay-level service.

“We thank you for being the voice, the hands, and the heart of the Provincial Population Office in your respective barangays,” he said.

Third District Rep. Lorenz Defensor served as guest speaker, joined by Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque, Board Members Jason Gonzales and June Mondejar, and several municipal mayors.

According to the PPO, Iloilo continues to have the largest number of BSPOs in the country.