The mayor of San Nicolas, Pangasinan could hardly believe that her municipality — located more than 200 kilometers from Metro Manila — would become a recipient of livelihood assistance from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano.
“Hindi ko po akalain na makakarating po ang ganitong napakagandang programa, considering na kami na ang pinakadulong municipality dito sa Region 1,” San Nicolas Mayor Alicia L. Primicias-Enriquez said as she helped disburse the assistance to a total of 195 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on January 18, 2024.
“Kaya maraming salamat po at napakalaking tulong nito sa aming mga kababayan,” she added.
The disbursement of P15,000 in livelihood assistance was held in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Aside from Mayor Enriquez, the activity was also made possible with the help and coordination of San Nicolas Vice Mayor Alvin Bravo, DSWD Regional Program Coordinator Chad Everett Q. Llanes, and Delia Dalutag.
The beneficiaries themselves expressed their gratitude for the timely support they received.
“Masayang-masaya po ako,” sari-sari store owner Mishelle Nicolas said during the event.
“Malaking tulong po ito para sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak at sa kabuhayan po namin,” she added, explaining that she had to borrow money several times just to sustain her store.
Dolly Barbo Ramos, who has been struggling with raising her child single-handedly, said the assistance she received was a big boost to her sari-sari store.
“Malaking tulong po ito sa akin bilang solo parent dahil dagdag puhunan sa aming negosyo para lumago at lumaki pa,” she said.
Fellow solo parent Diana Maling also highlighted the importance of the assistance in her family’s life.
“Malaking tulong po ito dahil sa sari-sari store po kami kumukuha ng ikabubuhay ng anak ko,” she said.
The livelihood assistance initiative is an integral component of the mission of the two Cayetano senators to provide support to economically challenged Filipinos, offering essential assistance to enhance their livelihoods.
