DAGUPAN CITY – The provincial government of Pangasinan provided financial assistance to barangay officials and civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) from the first district of the province to extend its gratitude to its partners and frontline workers at the grassroots level.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano served as guest during the grant of financial aid held in Alaminos City on Thursday, January 12.
Governor Ramon Guico III said the assistance was given earlier to barangay health workers and this time, the province allotted funds to grant the same to barangay officials – punong barangays and barangay kagawads, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons, barangay secretaries, barangay treasurers, and CVOs.
“We appreciate ‘yong tulong ninyo sa amin. We appreciate your service to our province kaya naglalaan na tayo ng ganito para sa inyong lahat,” Guico said.
In consonance with the governor, Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino reiterated the importance of barangay officials and CVOs as “original frontliners” who make great sacrifices but remain grossly underpaid.
“Kaunting tulong at pagmamahal ito ng ating provincial government para sa ating barangay officials. Hindi pa kilala ang COVID-19, wala pa ang COVID-19, kayo ang unang binubulabog ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin masusuklian o matatapatan ang sakripisyo na ibinibigay ninyo para sa ating mga kababayan tapos medyo mababa pa ang inyong allowances na nakukuha,” Lambino said.
Punong barangays from the nine towns and lone city in the first district received P5,000 cash aid while barangay kagawads, SK chairpersons, barangay secretaries, barangay treasurers, and CVOs were given P1,000 each.
Senator Cayetano also expressed his appreciation to the barangay officials whose role, he said, is among the “most difficult” among all elected government officials yet are given fewer resources than other government agencies.
“Hindi po nila (municipal and provincial government) magagawa ang kanilang plano kung ang barangay ay hindi po nila partner,” Cayetano said.
Likewise, he thanked the provincial government for this initiative.
He said, “I’d like to thank you dahil binigyan ninyo ng importansya ang mga barangay officials kasi sa iba hinuhuli sila.”
Meanwhile, the senator cited his legislative agenda to build health centers in all barangays in the country, which he is also pursuing in his own capacity with the help of his sister, Senator Pia.
“Gagawin naming world class ‘yong building noong health center. Dalawa po ‘yon, ordinary health center at super health center. Kumpleto sa doktor, may paanakan, kumpleto sa laboratory na Philhealth-accredited para walang bayad, at may pharmacy,” said.
The Senator said this is doable for all barangays through partnerships.
Hahanap tayo ng partner sa PhilHealth, hahanap tayo ng partner kay Governor Guico, kay mayor, kay kapitan para magawa natin ‘to lahat,” he added. By April M. Montes-Bravo