By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The country's poorest of poor also emerged as the country's silent heroes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Take for example, the good deeds of Norberto M. Bondoy, one of the two beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who returned his P6,500 cash subsidy to help other needy families in Barangay Villaperez in Gumaca, Quezon.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) thanked Bondoy for showing his generosityand concern for other people.
"Ayon kay Ginoong Bondoy, ibinalik niya ang ayuda dahil mayroon pa silang matatanggap, at ito ay mas makakatulong sa ibang mga pamilyang mas nangangailangan (According to Mr. Bondoy, he returned the cash aid because they expect to receive more assistance, and it will help other families who need it most)," the DSWD said.
The DSWD Region IV-A noted that there are two 4Ps recipients from Barangay Villaperez, Gumaca, Quezon who returned their cash subsidy.
On April 21, Nancy Anacion posted on Facebook the picture of Bondoy returning his cash subsidy.
"Maraming salamat sa isang matapat na 4Ps beneficiary na nakatanggap ng SAP at isinoli nya sa aming tanggapan ngayon ang halagang 6,500. Dalawa na po silang 4Ps na nagsauli ng kanilang natanggap, pareho pong taga Villaperez. Saludo po kami sa inyo at sana ay maging huwaran kayo (Thank you so much to a loyal 4Ps beneficiary who received the SAP. He returned to our office now the amount of P6,500. There are two 4Ps beneficiaries who returned what they received, both are from Villaperez. We salute you and may you set a good example)," she said in her social media post which became viral.
Meanwhile, the DSWD Field Office I (Ilocos) disclosed that a group of beneficiaries conducted a fundraising activity to provide relief goods to needy families in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.
It said 20 to 30 families benefitted from the fundraising initiative of the 4Ps beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries contributed P20 to P100 as their donation to provide relief goods, including food and hygiene kits to other poor families, the DSWD Ilocandia said in its Facebook post.
Inspired by the sincere gesture of the 4Ps beneficiaries, the barangay officials, school teachers, and school principal also extended assistance, it said.
"Ayon sa grupo ng mga 4Ps beneficiaries, pinaplano pa nilang magbigay ulit ng relief goods sa susunod na buwan kapag nakuha nila ang kanilang pangalawang ayuda (According to the 4Ps beneficiaries, they plan to give more relief goods next month when they receive the second tranche of the emergency subsidy)," the DSWD said in a Facebook post.