Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies in the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso on Tuesday extended cash assistance to 45 sari-sari store owners in the latest episode of the Sari-saring Pag-asa program.
Another 30 beneficiaries were selected from the program’s livestream on Cayetano’s official Facebook page, bringing the October 12 episode’s total to 75 new beneficiaries.
During the program, Tarlac City Mayor Dante Torres expressed his gratitude to Cayetano and his group for tirelessly aiding Filipinos in need.
“Sana sundin ng ibang kandidato — walang pulitika, basta tulong lang,” Torres said.
(I hope other politicians follow Cayetano’s example — no politics, just helping for the sake of others.)
Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles similarly thanked Cayetano’s initiative, saying the country “needs good leaders like Cayetano” in the midst of hardships brought about by the pandemic.
The Sari-saring Pag-asa program aims to give financial assistance to sari-sari store owners during the pandemic by giving them P3,500 in order to replenish their stocks, as well as sustain their everyday needs.
“Mas malaking tulong, mas mabuti, pero kahit anong tulong po na ginamit sa tama, kapag may oportunidad na kumatok at binuksan natin ang pinto, makakatulong po ito,” Cayetano said, addressing the beneficiaries.
(It is true that the greater the help, the better, but any type of aid or opportunity that has been used for good is beneficial.)
As of October 9, the program has helped over 4,200 sari-sari store owners bounce back from the on-going pandemic.
