A total 10,458 beneficiaries have received the P10,000 cash aid under the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program initiated by former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo sa Kongreso group of congressmen.
Latest to receive the much-needed cash assistance were 200 beneficiaries that included barangay health workers (BHW) who are also in the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of this number, 150 were selected in partnership with the city governments of Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, San Juan, and Mandaluyong, while 50 others were chosen during the previous Facebook livestream of the program.
Joining Cayetano in the P10-ayuda (support) distribution on Sept. 10 was Taguig 2nd District Rep. Ma. Laarni “Lani” Cayetano, a staunch advocate of BHW welfare.
“Si Lani has really been working hard sa ating mga frontliners, lalo sa (for our frontlliners, especially) nutrition scholars, barangay tanods, at barangay health workers,” said the former House leader.
He explained that the lady solon has been requesting for a program that would help barangay health workers who have been worst hit by the pandemic and lacked money to purchase basic needs like food and medicine.
“Hopefully, itong Sampung Libong Pag-asa (this program) can give some hope or some help to all of you,” Cayetano said.
On the other hand, Rep. Lani noted that BHWs usually earn measly allowances but they continue to work hard to help barangay residents in the fight against COVID-19.
She said BHWs act as the first line of the barangay defense against the onslaught of the pandemic in their respective areas.
“Karamihan ng ating mga barangay health workers ay nananatili na allowance basis, pero hindi matatawaran ang mahalagang tulong nila sa ating mga doktor at sa ating mga nurses, lalo nung tumama sa atin ang pandemya. (Most of our barangay health workers are on an allowance basis, but the work they do and the help they provide our doctors and nurses have been proven significant, especially when the pandemic hit us.) ,” she said.
Launched on May 1, the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program gives P10,000 in financial assistance to select individuals affected by the pandemic.
Cayetano spearheaded the initiative in order to campaign for the inclusion of the P10,000 financial aid provision under the Bayanihan