With large gatherings still prohibited or heavily regulated under the pandemic, workers in the entertainment and events industry such as musicians, hosts, choreographers, and event organizers have been struggling to make avenues for themselves to earn.
With this in mind, the Sampung Libong Pag-asa Lite Edition on Wednesday, September 1 focused on providing financial assistance to those in the events and entertainment sector who lost their means of livelihood to COVID-19.
“Ayaw natin ng pantawid lang, gusto natin pang-ahon,” former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said, explaining the backbone of the program.
(We should strive for sustainability, not mere band-aid solutions).
According to Cayetano, this is one of the sectors that have been severely affected by various restrictions such as the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), among others.
The Sampung Libong Pag-asa program, which was live streamed through Cayetano’s official Facebook Page, saw 30 new beneficiaries from the events and entertainment sector in the cities of Mandaluyong, Makati, and Valenzuela.
An additional 20 Facebook live commenters were also chosen as beneficiaries.
During the program, various officials from the three cities expressed the hardships of their constituents during the pandemic, especially those in the entertainment and events sector.
According to the officials, the cash assistance of P10,000 through the Sampung Libong Pag-asa initiative brings hope and a fresh new start to individuals and families in their respective barangays.
Barangay Chairman Carlito Cernal of Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City expressed his gratitude to Cayetano and his allies in the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso.
“Sana po marami pa pong matulungan sa buong bansa dahil y’ung ganitong programa na pagbibigay ng panimulang pag-asa ay malaking bagay po ito kung ang lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino ay mabibigyan ng ganitong puhunan para makapag simula sa kanilang negosyo,” Cernal said.
(I hope more Filipinos will be aided through this program as it brings hope to many of us, especially as the cash assistance can be used to start a new business).
Similarly, Barangay Chairman Cristina Feliciano of Barangay Arkong Bato, Valenzuela City lauded the program’s aims for “sustainability,” a principle found at the very core of the Sampung Libong Pag-asa initiative.
Sustainability
The story of Joevelien Domingo, one of the 10K Ayuda beneficiaries, proved this when she shared during the program how she used half of the cash assistance to set up a small sari-sari store which now earns P400-500 per day.
“Ngayon po may savings na po ako dahil sa kita ko po sa tindahan. Naitabi ko at y’un po ay nagagamit ko sa pangangailangan namin,” Domingo said during the program.
(Because of the store, we finally were able to save up. From our savings, we are able to pay for our daily necessities).
Launched on May 1, the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program gives P10,000 in financial assistance to select individuals affected by the pandemic, and still continues to do so today.
“Sa dami ng problema ng ating kababayan, napaka-importante po na may matira hindi lang sa araw-araw na pangangailangan, pero sa negosyo nila,” Cayetano said.
(It is important for people to have savings during this difficult time, not just for basic necessities, but also for their respective businesses).
Cayetano and his allies have been pushing for the 10K Ayuda Bill which seeks to provide every Filipino family with P10,000 in direct aid to help them with their daily needs as well as put up their own small businesses.
