For Senator Pia Cayetano, the Province of Palawan’s true wealth lies not only in its stunning beauty and natural resources but in its people, who she regards as the province’s most valuable asset.
The senator made this statement as she visited Puerto Princesa City and El Nido from June 26 to 28, 2024, extending a slew of livelihood assistance to calamity victims, women, barangay health workers, barangay leaders, and senior citizens.
“Blessed kayo kasi meron kayong magagandang natural resources. Kaya pangalagaan niyo ‘yan,” she told the Palaweños at Mendoza Park in Puerto Princesa City.
“Pero para sa akin, ang mamamayan ang totoong yaman. Kayo y’un,” she added.
On June 26, her office, together with that of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, extended vital aid and empowered 70 members of the Airtoda Transport Service Cooperative and 138 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) graduates from various institutions in the city.
This initiative was accomplished by the Cayetanos in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Airtoda Transport Service Cooperative is an accredited NGO operating in the city dealing in transport service and tour guides at any point in Palawan.
The activity was also part of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s Presyo, Trabaho, Kita/Kaayusan (PTK) Program, a 10-year-old initiative in which cooperatives are given seed capital in multiple tranches so they can help their members grow their small businesses and provide aid to members during crises.
The TESDA graduates meanwhile received their second batch of assistance from the Cayetanos. In April this year, 118 of the 138 graduates first received toolkits to jumpstart their livelihood in organic agriculture production.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Cayetano teams also provided recovery aid to 439 fire victims in partnership with DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This is to help improve their livelihood and socio-economic well-being in the aftermath of becoming calamity victims.
The next day, June 27, Senator Pia joined the handover of assistance to 990 beneficiaries composed of barangay health workers, women, senior citizens, and barangay leaders.
The beautiful municipality of El Nido became the last stop of their Palawan visit, where 762 women received aid from the Cayetanos. This is particularly important for Senator Pia as a known advocate of women and children’s wellbeing.
This initiative was accomplished by the Cayetanos in partnership with the DSWD, and local partners such as former Governor and Palawan 2nd District Representative Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra.
Ibaan Mayor Joy Salvame of Batangas, who is the daughter of late Palawan 1st District Representative Edgardo ‘Egay’ Salvame, also helped in the successful event.
While the Senate is on session break, the Cayetanos continue to visit provinces across the nation to uplift and support its community members.
