A total of 4,800 Pangasinenses received assistance from the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano during a four-day visit to the Province of Pangasinan on April 15 to 18, 2024.
The aid proved essential as the province, currently experiencing El Niño, has grappled with severe drought conditions, leading to crop failures and water shortages.
Various sectors in the towns of Dagupan, Alaminos, San Nicolas, Malasiqui, Bayambang, and San Carlos City received much-needed relief through the collaborative efforts of the sibling senators and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Addressing the beneficiaries from the sectors of ambulant vendors, sari-sari store owners, solo parents, and women, Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan encouraged them to fully utilize the aid extended by the senators to their community.
“Kahit sobra silang busy, hindi nila tayo pinapabayaan dito sa Dagupan. Sa pagtanggap niyo ng AICS, huwag ninyo itong sasayangin. Maganda itong ipang-dagdag sa inyong kapital. Tayo ay masuwerte dahil tayo ay tinutulungan,” she said.
In Alaminos, an additional group of 1,000 residents from sectors including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the indigent also benefited from the collaborative efforts of the Cayetano-DSWD partnership, facilitated by Mayor Bryan Celeste.
Among them is Jesica Caasi, a solo parent and cancer survivor, who said her condition has never hindered her ability to help her family. Expressing gratitude to the senators for the assistance, she plans to use it to enhance her sari-sari store business.
“Napakalaking tulong po talaga nitong iniabot nina Senator Alan at Senator Pia dahil napamahal na po ng mga bilihin. Magagamit ko po ito bilang pandagdag-puhunan. Sana po marami pa po kayong matulungan,” she said.
To extend assistance to more Pangasinenses in need, the senators provided aid to 1,000 beneficiaries in the town of San Nicolas, catering to the sectors of farmers, women, and indigenous people, through the help of Mayor Alicia Enriquez and Vice Mayor Alvin Bravo.
Around 1,800 owners of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the 3rd district of the province from the towns Malasiqui, Bayambang, and San Carlos City were also provided additional capital support facilitated by 3rd District Representative Maria Rachel J. Arenas.
These initiatives are part of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano’s ongoing efforts to support marginalized communities in the country. They closely collaborate with government agencies and local units to ensure that Filipinos in need receive the necessary assistance.