Four days into the implementation of the third enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano led the distribution of cash aid for barbers and salon workers in the capital region on Tuesday, August 10, as part of his Sampung Libong Pag-Asa initiative.
The live streamed event featured 10 beneficiaries each from San Juan, Navotas, and the City of Manila.
In addition to the 30 beneficiaries, 20 Facebook commenters were also chosen to receive the financial aid.
These 50 beneficiaries consist of barbers, beauticians, manicurists, massagists, and parlor workers.
“Simula ng pag-umpisa ng pandemic, eto po yung karamihan ng ating kababayan na may marangal na trabaho pero na-stop. Dati na silang masipag pero natamaan ng pandemiya. Extraordinary po ang problem kasi hindi sila basta-basta makabalik, at nung nakabalik sila, ilan lang po ang pwede sa kanilang shop,” Cayetano said.
(Since the start of the pandemic, many Filipinos had jobs but they had to stop. They were working hard but they were hit by the pandemic. This is an extraordinary problem because they cannot just go back to work whenever they want to and when they were finally able to, only a few were allowed in their shops.)
Prior to the pandemic, many barbers and parlor workers received a stable salary and received tips from customers, but pandemic restrictions on business establishments have severely affected their incomes.
The Sampung Libong Pag-asa program was launched by Cayetano and his allies in Congress on May 1 as part of their campaign to include the P10,000 in cash aid provision under the proposed Bayanihan 3.
It showcases a key part of Cayetano’ economic recovery plan to assist Filipino families with cash assistance to help them purchase their basic needs and revive their sources of income amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Hindi tamad ang mga Pilipino, nawawalan lang ng oportunidad dahil sa pandemic,” Cayetano said.
(Filipinos are not lazy, they just have less opportunities because of the pandemic.)
