Nearly a thousand Filipinos in Negros Oriental were given opportunity to uplift their lives as they received livelihood assistance from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano.
A total of 970 individuals in the Cities of Bais, Tanjay, and Dumaguete benefited from the outreach led by the senator siblings’ Bayanihan Caravan, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The assistance was distributed to the residents on July 24 and 26, 2024 under the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Both the Bayanihan Caravan and the SLP aim to capacitate underprivileged families among communities across the country to engage in micro-enterprises.
Among the 150 beneficiaries in Bais City was Vilma Tudil, a mother of three who owns a sari-sari store.
“Ito na po ang pinapangarap ko na madagdagan ang puhunan ko,” Tudil said, giving thanks for the help from the senators.
Hilario Aguilar, another beneficiary who sells tocino rice in Tanjay, also expressed gratitude for the help in boosting his business capital.
“Nag-iisa lang ako sa buhay kaya nagsisikap po ako na lumago ang aking negosyo. Kulang lang sa kapital,” Aguilar shared.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil nadagdagan ngayon ang aking kapital. Makakapagfocus na ako sa negosyo at palalaguin ko ito sa kayang gawain at tamang paraan. Malaking bagay po itong dagdag sa aking negosyo,” he added.
The two-day activity was conducted with the help of Mayor Luigi Goñi and Vice Mayor Mercedes Goñi in Bais City; Vice Mayor Neil Salma and Councilor Domiciano Catubig Jr. in Tanjay City; Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, Negros Oriental 2nd District Rep. Chiquiting Sagarbarria, and Vice Mayor Maisa Sagarbarria in Dumaguete City.
