DAGUPAN CITY – Five thousand indigent residents here received financial assistance through Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos’ visit to the city on September 18 at the CSI Stadia in Barangay Lucao to support their basic needs.
Each beneficiary received P2,000 to help cover personal needs, such as food, medical care, and other emergency expenses, amounting to P10 million in assistance distributed.
Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to providing assistance to those in need across the country, especially as the prices of goods have increased nowadays and the typhoon season approaches.
“[Namigay] tayo ng ayuda para sa karamihan ay mga kababaihan dahil mahusay silang humawak ng pera. Makakatulong ito sa kanilang hapag-kainan, sa pagbili ng libro para sa mga anak, at sa gamot para sa mga lolo’t lola. Kaya’t sulit na sulit ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa kanila,” said Marcos.
(We distributed aid primarily to women as they are skilled at managing money. This will help with their food needs, buy books for their children, and provide medicine for their grandparents. Therefore, giving support to them is worthwhile.)
Moreover, 1,000 Nutriban bread loaves were provided during the payout to help ensure that families have access to nutritious food.
Nutriban, a fortified bread introduced and promoted by the late Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., provides a nutritious food source enriched with essential vitamins and minerals for children and low-income families and is often distributed through community programs and relief efforts to combat malnutrition and stunting.
Senator Marcos urged everyone to work together and support one another to overcome challenges faced by families.
Soledad De Vera, 65, from Barangay Carael, expressed her gratitude for the cash assistance she received, which she plans to use to cover her daily necessities.
“Wala akong source of income at maliit lang ang natatanggap ng mister ko mula sa kanyang Social Security System (SSS) pension. Malaking tulong ito para sa amin bilang mga senior citizen dahil may pambili kami ng pagkain, gamot, at iba pang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” De Vera shared to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Pangasinan.
(I have no source of income and my husband receives only a small amount from his SSS pension. This assistance is a great help for us as senior citizens, allowing us to buy food, medicine, and other daily necessities.)
Nanay Remy, 80, from Barangay Salapingao, also expressed her gratitude for the cash assistance she received.
“Malaking tulong talaga ito para sa mga pangangailangan namin sa bahay. Malaking suporta ito para sa mga pamilyang mahihirap gaya naming at talagang nakagagawa ito ng pagbabago sa aming buhay,” she said, hoping for continued assistance to help improve their situation.
(This is really a great help for our household needs. It is a significant support for families like ours who are struggling and it truly makes a difference in our lives.)
Meanwhile, the senator assured that for those seeking livelihood opportunities, efforts would be made to identify projects and provide support in both technical training and capital acquisition, including options like starting a “sari-sari” store or selling mobile loads.
“Mayroon tayong kooperatiba, at bilang inyong bossing, handa tayong magpautang [lalo na] sa mga kababaihan,” said Marcos, adding that she will provide assistance in any way possible.
(We have a cooperative, and as your leader, we are ready to offer loans, especially to women.) (PIA Pangasinan)
