Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s Sampung Libong Pag-asa program reached out to women beneficiaries from the National Capital Region on Friday afternoon.
During the program’s Facebook livestream led by Cayetano’s wife Taguig 2nd District Rep. Lani Cayetano, a total of 113 pre-selected beneficiaries, most of whom are homemakers from Las Piñas, Pasay, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, and Pateros, received P10,000 in cash aid each from the program.
The program also distributed cash aid to 35 commenters on the program’s Facebook livestream and 15 random names from the host’s tablet.
Rep. Cayetano said the program emerged from the need to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa panahon na ito, marami talaga sa ating mga kababayan ang nangangailangan talaga ng tulong. At kahit ano namang amount ay ina-appreciate ng ating mga kababayan. Pero katulad ng palagiang sinasabi sa’tin ng ating Kuya Alan Peter Cayetano, ang hinahanap natin ngayon ay hindi lang basta pantawid kundi pang-ahon,” she said.
(During these times, many of our people are in dire need of help. They are ready to accept and appreciate any amount. However, as frequently mentioned by our Kuya Alan Peter Cayetano, we’re not here to merely pull them up. We want to help them get through this crisis.)
She was joined by Progressive Ladies League of the Philippines (PLLP) Founder and President Evelyn Arago, PLLP Coordinator Alma Dogwe, and 13 guest beneficiaries.
To date, the Sampung Libong Pag-asa program has distributed cash aid to more than 13,000 beneficiaries across the country.
Rep. Cayetano said the 10K Ayuda can be used by beneficiaries to support their daily needs and strengthen their sources of livelihood.
“Sa halagang P10,000, ang atin pong mga kababayan ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong makatulong sa basic needs nila at makapagkaloob pa ng halaga para sa kanilang maliliit na mga negosyo,” she said.
(With P10,000, our people will be given the opportunity to address their basic needs and secure additional capital for their small businesses.)
The lawmaker said she and her husband are still pushing for the passage of the 10K Ayuda Bill, which is expected to create a broader economic stimulus program that will provide financial assistance to pandemic-stricken Filipinos.
“Hindi naman natin dapat panghinayangan ito dahil bumabalik naman ito sa ekonomiya. Ang itinutulak po natin na Sampung Libong Pag-asa Bill sa Kongreso ay may layunin po na maging economic stimulus ito. Hindi lang ito ordinaryong dole-out,” she said.
(We should not be worried about this proposal because the amount will return to the economy. The Sampung Libong Pag-asa Bill that we’re pushing for intends to create an economic stimulus. This won’t be an ordinary dole-out.)
The Cayetanos and their allies in the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso filed the 10K Ayuda Bill on February 1, 2021 with the aim of providing P10,000 to the poorest of the poor in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the bill was integrated into the committee version of Bayanihan 3, its proposed amount for cash aid was left out.
For her part, Arago said livelihood is the primary concern of Filipino women amidst the ongoing pandemic.
“Malaking bagay sa isang pamilya na y’ung kababaihan ay ‘di lang pambahay o nagtratrabaho. Dapat may additional income para makatulong sa kanilang asawa [at] kanilang pamilya,” she said.
(It’s a big deal for families nowadays that our women are not only confined to household duties or regular employment. They need additional income to help their spouses and families.)
She added that health and the empowerment of women against violence and discrimination are also key concerns within the sector.
“‘Pag may kaalaman, ‘di sila matatakot sa takbo ng kanilang buhay. Kasi alam nila na meron silang karapatan, na mayroon silang dapat gawin,” she said.
(When people possess a certain kind of knowledge, they will not fear the course of life. This is because they are aware of their rights and duties.)
