Makati resident Rudolf Mapli, who works as a Grab driver, lamented the hardships he faced as a food delivery person during the pandemic. He used to earn P500 a day in this line of work before the pandemic hit, but this decreased to P200 a day due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
“Ang buhay natin ngayon ay talagang mabigat dahil sa pandemya,” Mapli said.
(Our lives today have become even harder because of the pandemic.)
To sustain a family of seven, Mapli found extra work as a food delivery person for a restaurant alongside his primary job. Though earning, it would take a long time for him to pay off the motorcycle he was using to ease his financial burdens.
It was during this time of uncertainty that Mapli was chosen as one of the beneficiaries for the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program on September 15, 2021.
When Mapli received the amount of P10,000, he used half to pay for the motorcycle and the remaining half to pay for his family’s daily necessities.
“Ako po’y natuwa sapagkat ako ay namomroblema paano ko babayaran y’ung motor para mapunta ho sa akin para magamit ko rin pang delivery,” he said.
(I’m very grateful because I used to think about the burden of having to pay off the motorcycle so that I can finally own it and use it for delivery.)
Now, he earns as much as P1,000 a day — enough to provide for his family’s needs.
“Alam natin na pandemic, huwag tayong matakot sapagkat nandyan ang Panginoon. Kapit lang sa Panginoon,” Mapli said, hoping to inspire those similarly situated to keep their spirits up.
(We know that we are in a pandemic, but let’s not fear take over us since we have our Lord with us. Let’s keep the faith.)
His story was featured in the latest Sampung Libong Pag-asa program aired on Wednesday, October 6, in which former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies in the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso focused on aiding pedicab drivers who have been affected by the pandemic.
In a livestream aired right before the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program, Cayetano explained why he continues to make these programs possible.
“We wish to inspire, dito sa mga success stories…not only to inspire us to help others, to help ourselves, pero kahit yung successful na, kailangan pa rin po nila ng encouragement,” he said.
(We wish to inspire through the success stories in our programs, not only to inspire us to help others, to help ourselves, but also to help encourage even those who are thriving.)
Launched on May 1, the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program gives P10,000 in financial assistance to select individuals affected by the pandemic.
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.
As of this writing, 11,682 families have benefited from the program.###
