The Office of Senator Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano continues its efforts to help Filipinos bounce back from the pandemic, this time through the Sari-Saring Pag-Asa (SSP) and medical desk on June 1, 2023 at the Daraga Covered Court in Daraga, Albay.
A total of 262 sari-sari store owners received P3,500 in financial assistance, many of whom said they will use it to buy additional inventory for their micro-businesses. Others will use parts of it to pay dues and debts they incurred due to the pandemic’s economic impact.
One of the beneficiaries was Salvacion Destura, a mother wearing different hats to get her child through college. Aside from owning a handicraft and souvenir store near the iconic Cagsawa Ruins, she is also a street food vendor and farmer.
“Salamat po nang marami dahil malaking tulong po talaga [ang assistance] sa income namin,” Destura said of the financial assistance. “Halimbawa y’ung negosyo ko. Ang mahal na ng mga ingredients ngayon. Makakabili na po ako kahit papaano ng mga kulang na ingredients.”
Aside from the SSP assistance, 11 patients from these same families were also able to get medical assistance from the Inter-Sectoral Medical Desk.
The desk was able to help patients dealing with medical conditions such as heart and chest ailments, hypertension, glaucoma and eye ailments, bronchial asthma, and more.
The medical team provided assistance for medicines, hospital bills, laboratory, and diagnostic procedures.
The desk was also able to counsel on medical-related questions to 35 SSP beneficiaries in Daraga as well as the immediate vicinity.
The SSP distribution is part of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, targeting micro-business owners to help stimulate the economy of their respective communities.
Senator Cayetano himself continues his work for Filipinos at the Senate. Among the bills he has filed and is lobbying for on the Senate floor are the Puhunan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Act, the Barangay Health Centers Act, and the Mahal Ko, Barangay Health Worker Ko Law.
