Senator Risa Hontiveros recently led a gift-giving activity for West Philippine Sea frontliners, including fisherfolk communities and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Hontiveros led the follow-up activity to the Atin Ito Christmas convoy last Sunday, December 17 together with Bridges of Benevolent Initiative Foundation (BBIF) and Vivant Foundation, and distributed 1,500 Noche Buena packs to the fisherfolk in Masinloc, Zambales.
The gift-giving activity, she said, are part of their efforts to reach out to the community heavily affected by China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
“Alam na alam po natin ang hirap na dinaranas ng mga mangingisda ng Masinloc dahil sa panghihimasok ng Tsina sa West Philippine Sea. Pati ang kanilang tradisyonal na paghahanapbuhay, naapektuhan (We all know the hardships these fishermen in Masinloc experience due to China’s aggression in the WPS. Even their traditional livelihood have already been affected),” Hontiveros said.
“Kaya itong pandagdag Noche Buena ay munting pasasalamat lang sa kanilang pagtindig laban sa Tsina (That’s why these Christmas gifts are our way of thanking them for continually standing up against China),” she added.
The senator, along with BBIF and Vivant Foundation, also turned over solar panels to the Philippine Coast Guard, represented by Commodore Jay Tarriela.
“Itong mga solar panels ay pasasalamat at pakikiisa din sa Coast Guard dahil, sa ating mga ahensya ng ating gobyerno, sila rin ang pangunahing nagbabantay, nagsusubaybay at nagtatanggol sa ating West Philippine Sea (These solar panels are our way of thanking our Coast Guard, because they guard, monitor and defend our West Philippine Sea),” she stressed.
For her part, Hontiveros said she will not stop supporting WPS frontliners — whether through legislation in the Senate or through activities such as “Pasko nAtin To.”