Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said he and his allies in the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso are working “double time” to deliver financial aid to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nagdo-double time po tayo, talking to donors and partners and getting the funds to those who need it most,” Cayetano said in a Facebook livestream ahead of the latest episode of the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program on November 10, 2021.
(We are constantly talking to donors and partners in order to get enough funds for those who need it most.)
“We want to, no matter how small, make a difference sa lives ng ating mga kababayan (in the lives of our fellow Filipinos),” he added.
Wednesday’s episode focused on hotel and resort workers in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, and La Union.
Local executives of Barangay 26 (San Mauricio, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte), San Fabian (Pangasinan), and San Juan (La Union) expressed their gratitude and support for the former Speaker and the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program.
“Ito po ay napakalaking tulong para sa mga empleyado para sa kanilang pangangailangan, lalung-lalo na at pwede nila itong gawin pang-negosyo,” San Juan Mayor Arturo Valdriz said.
(This is a big help for employees who are in need, especially since they can use this for business.)
Launched on May 1, 2021, the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program gives P10,000 in financial assistance to select individuals affected by the pandemic.
The program is a private initiative wherein funds are received from donors from the private sector.
The program focuses on various affected sectors each week in order to raise awareness to the general public as well as the government regarding a Filipino family’s need for stable financial assistance in the midst of a global health crisis.
Story of hope
The latest episode saw 50 new beneficiaries, and as of writing, more than 13,300 families have benefited from the said program since its inception.
The episode also featured Rodel Punzalan, a barangay tanod (barangay police officer) in Talon Singko, Las Piñas City.
As a father of five, he strives to give his family the best life possible.
However, with small earnings every month, most of his income is spent on the medical needs of his wife and their daily expenses.
After receiving P10,000 in cash aid from the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program on July 18, 2021, Punzalan used a portion of the amount to start a business reselling fruits and vegetables he buys wholesale. He used the rest of the amount for his family’s daily expenses.
“Y’ung kita po namin ngayong tanghali, Sir, mamaya po madadagdagan pa ho ito dahil marami pa akong paninda,” Punzalan said in a video feature, showcasing the various food items he was to sell that day.
(Our profit this afternoon will grow as the day ends, as we still have a lot of items to sell.)
“Nakakaluwag-luwag na po ng kaunti sa pang-araw-araw (We feel more at ease financially),” he added.
