With Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his group Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso continue to ramp up the distribution of cash assistance to affected Filipinos through the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program.
During the Sampung Libong Pag-asa Lite, a shorter version of the usual program which aired on August 26, Cayetano and his group focused specifically on displaced workers in the sales industry such as merchandisers, cashiers, and salespersons.
The program saw 30 new beneficiaries from the cities of Muntinlupa, Manila, and Taguig-Pateros, while 20 recipients were chosen from the FB Live.
One of the beneficiaries was Rowel Bregaudit of Sta. Cruz, Manila. He testified as to how the 10K Ayuda aided him and his family during the pandemic.
“[Ang] ginawa ko po binili ko po agad ng paninda [y’ung 10K Ayuda]. Binuhos ko talaga lahat kasi the more na ini-negosyo ko siya o i-invest ko sa paninda, mas kikita pa y’ung 10K,” Bregaudit said.
(With the money, I bought items for re-selling. I poured all of the 10K Ayuda towards our small business because I knew if I invested it all, it would return ten-fold).
Bregaudit now earns P2,000-P3,000 a day because of his investments.
“Dahil sa 10K ayuda na rin, nakapagsimula na kami ng tindahan kasi ngayon sa panahon ng pandemya survival eh, ultimo barya, piso, dalawang piso, napakahalaga na n’yan para maka-survive sa araw-araw na gastusin,” Bregaudit added.
(Because of the 10K ayuda, we got to start our small store because nowadays, during a pandemic, it’s all about survival. Even coins like one or two pesos are important to sustain our needs).
He expressed his gratitude to Cayetano and the whole Sampung Libong Pag-asa program, and he hopes to see more people benefit from the initiative, particularly to people who are considered “maliliit na taong halos hindi na pinapansin ng lipunan (people from the margins, barely noticed, or forgotten by society).”
Launched on May 1, the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program, spearheaded by Cayetano and his group, provides P10,000 in financial assistance to select individuals affected by the pandemic.
As of August 25, a total of 9,285 beneficiaries from all over the Philippines have already received the cash assistance.
