Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano once again called on Filipinos to practice bayanihan, saying everyone can be an instrument of change through generosity especially during the Christmas season.
“Ang reason po namin for giving is the love for God. Hindi natin matutulungan lahat, pero we can be instruments of getting them done,” Cayetano said in a pre-recorded interview during the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program episode on December 17, 2021.
(Our reason for giving is the love for God. We cannot help everyone, but we can still be instruments in getting them done.)
Friday’s episode extended help to the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) members of Capas (Tarlac), Legazpi and Daraga (Albay), and Dasmarinas and Silang (Cavite).
The program featured the success story of Neil Marc Labanon, a tricycle driver and Sampung Libong Pag-asa beneficiary from Silang, Cavite.
With the 10K aid he received, he set up his own fresh produce stall.
“Ang pinagkakaabalahan ko po ay ang pagtitinda sa maliit na negosyo, tulad ng prutas, isda, at gulay,” he said.
(These days, I sell fruits, fish, and vegetables in my small business.)
His new livelihood helps provide for his family amid the pandemic, as income for TODA members remains low due to the government-implemented COVID-19 restrictions.
“Hindi na po ako pumapasada kasi sobrang hirap po ng biyahe ngayon. At saka, nag-focus na lang po ako sa negosyo para natutulungan ko ang asawa ko,” he added.
(I do not use my tricycle nowadays because it is more difficult to travel. Also, I focused on our small business so that I’m able to help my wife.)
In his past job as a tricycle driver, he used to save P100 to P200 a day. Now, he earns at least P1,000 a day with his small business.
“May nabago po sa buhay namin. Hindi na po kami nangangamba kahit mag-lockdown, kasi kahit papaano ay may kinikita kami sa araw-araw sa aming maliit na negosyo,” Labanon said.
(The 10K Ayuda changed our lives, we do not fear anymore even if the government will implement a lockdown because we are already earning everyday from our small business.)
Spearheaded by Cayetano, the Sampung Libong Pag-asa aims to provide P10,000 to struggling Filipino families during the pandemic. Through this, the former House Speaker and his allies hope to improve the livelihood and lives of the beneficiaries.
