Marginalized sectors in Cebu get aid from AP party-list

CEBU, Philippines —  Hundreds of individuals from various towns and cities in Cebu province received grocery items from the Ang Probinsyano Party-list (AP-PL).

Led by AP-PL Representative Alfred Delos Santos, chief of staff Edward Delos Santos said the weeklong trip aimed to forge ties with the local government officials so that AP-PL can reach out and extend the appropriate aid to sectors most affected by the pandemic.

The team visited the cities of Bogo and Danao and the towns of Compostela and Asturias in the north.

The recipients of the aid were 100 trisikad drivers in Bogo City, 100 candle vendors in Danao City and 100 fisherfolk in Compostela received rice and grocery packs.

Aside from rice and groceries, Danao candle vendors also received cash aid from AP-PL and the office of Cebu fifth district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco.

Candle vendor Eva Elorde, whose family’s life revolved around making and selling candles for generations, said the assistance was a big help to them.

“Hanggang ngayon, mataas pa rin ang presyo ng mais, 45 pesos isang kilo dito sa Danao. Kaya malaking tulong ang bigas at groceries na ibinigay ng Ang Probinsyano Party List sa amin,” Elorde told the AP-PL team.

In Asturias, around 80 senior high school and college students underwent orientation on education assistance conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through APPL. Each student will receive P3,000 within the next two weeks after the orientation.

Alfred also promised to give fishing equipment to the fisherfolk association in Compostela in the next visit of APPL to the province.

“Ngayong nakasakay na ako sa inyong banca at narinig ko na kung gaano kahirap ang makipagsapalaran sa dagat araw-araw, sa susunod na pagbisita ko dito sa Compostela, magdadala na ako ng mga gamit na kailangan niyo sa inyong hanapbuhay,” he said.

Meanwhile, in southern Cebu, AP-PL executives also paid a courtesy call on Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña, Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos, Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong and Ginatilan Vice Mayor Jose Ramon Gomez.

The visits also coincided with DSWD education assistance orientation for 125 students in Minglanilla, 166 farmers and fisherfolk in Ginatilan and a sectoral visit to solo parents, women, persons with disability, youth and senior citizens in Sibonga.

“Importante na personal naming nakakausap ang LGU ng bawa’t probinsya. Nakakausap nang personal ang mga tao sa bawa’t lugar. Para ang tulong na ibibigay ng Ang Probinsyano Party List, ay tulong na kinakailangan talaga ng mga tao sa bawa’t probinsya,” said Edward.

AP-PL vowed to visit Cebu Province again in the following months and to bring the appropriate assistance. — KQD (FREEMAN)