Sampung Libong Pag-asa gives renewed hope to Pampangueños
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Sampung Libong Pag-asa program spearheaded by former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his group Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso made its way to Pampanga on August 16.
Conducted online through the former Speaker’s official Facebook page, the program saw a total of 70 new beneficiaries selected to receive P10,000 each in cash aid.
Of that number, 60 were from the municipalities of Guagua, San Fernando, and Angeles while 10 were selected from the live Facebook comments section. These beneficiaries were mostly from the service sector who were left without a job due to the pandemic.
“Hindi ordinaryong tulong ang bibigay natin kapag extraordinary na ang problema,” Cayetano said during the livestream.
(We shouldn’t give ordinary aid in response to an extraordinary problem).
Cayetano conversed with local leaders from the province during the virtual program regarding the specific needs of their constituents.
Barangay chairman Benjamin Angeles of Barangay Sindalan in San Fernando City expressed his gratitude for the help provided to members of his bar angay.
“Hindi tayo gaano kayaman na bansa, kailangan mag tulong-tulong tayo,” he said.
(We are not a rich country, so we need to help each other during this time).
Cayetano commended the resourcefulness of local leaders as each grappled with problems brought about by the pandemic, saying more resources should be put into these barangays as they are the ones handling their respective communities from the ground.
“Ngayong panahon ng pandemic we have to change our mindset. Hindi pwedeng bangayan or tirahan, we have to help each other and learn from our mistakes,” he said.
(We have to change our mindset during the pandemic. We can’t have politics come in between helping one another and we have to learn from our mistakes). The Sampung Libong Pag-asa program seeks to financially support Filipino families in the amount of P10,000 which can be used not only for the daily needs of the family but also to start a small business.
As of writing, over 8,500 families have benefitted from the program. (PR)