Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go led the distribution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to 1,000 beneficiaries in Sitio Dulong Bayan, Barangay Poblacion, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
The Bulakenyo beneficiaries in Santa Maria are part of the sector being assisted under DSWD AICS which is included in the agency's protective services for individuals belonging to the poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors.
The AICS aims to provide immediate assistance to families and individuals who experienced crises like fire and flood incidents.
Each recipient received P3,000 from the DSWD-AICS.
Go and his team provided grocery packs, vitamins, masks, snacks and shirts. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, bicycles, bastketball, volleyball, and watches to select individuals.
Also present during the distribution were Bulacan 6th District Representative Salvador Pleyto, Sta Maria Mayor Bartolome R. "Omeng" Ramos, Vice Mayor Eboy Juan, and some town councilors.
Sen. Go said he did not come to the town just to bring public service but also to make the people smile.
"Huwag po kayong magpasalamant sa akin, trabaho ko ang magserbisyo sa inyo (Don't thank me because it is my duty to serve you)," he said.
The AICS is among the protective services of DSWD along with a supplemental feeding program, social pension, disaster risk management, and community-based services.
Meanwhile, Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan police director, personally led the security and safety operations during Senator Go's visit.