Typhoon-hit sari-sari stores get financial help (Sabong News)
Author
Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon
Date
FEBRUARY 03 2022
CEBU, Philippines — Former Speaker of the House Alan Peter Cayetano reached out to small canteens and sari-sari stores in Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
Through his Sari-Saring Pag-asa program, the former senator distributed P3,500 each to a total of 300 beneficiaries from Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and the town of Oslob in Cebu; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Cebu 6th District Board Member Glenn Soco said the Sari-Saring Pag-asa program is a timely initiative since numerous sari-sari stores and canteens in the province were badly hit by Typhoon Odette.
“Cebu is not only reeling from the pandemic but likewise, tinamaan kami ng Bagyong Odette kamakailan lang and we have experienced so much devastation,” said Soco.
Soco said that the the typhoon has affected most especially the MSME sector or the micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises.
“Kaya nakikita ko na itong programa ni Senator Alan Cayetano is very, very needed sa mga negosyante natin. We saw that this program is very needed by many of our business owners,” Soco said.
In Lapu-Lapu City, former Lapu-Lapu City Urban Poor Department head Tino Aying thanked Cayetano for reaching out to the city’s urban poor associations and small businesses.
“Tuwang-tuwa yung mga benepisyaryo, yung 40 associations, kasi malaking tulong ito sa bawat association at makakaasa kayo na alam ng mga tao ang inyong magandang hangarin,” Aying said.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes emphasized the program’s message of hope and asked beneficiaries to persevere amidst the devastation caused by the recent typhoon.
“We can lose everything but our faith, hope, and love will remain. This is the message of former Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. His program is entitled Sari-Saring Pag-asa. Hope that in our future, the dark clouds will give way to the rays of the sun,” Cortes said.
Meanwhile, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap also thanked the senator for augmenting the city government’s efforts to provide relief to those affected by the typhoon.
“Sa Tagbilaran City, alam naman natin na marami talaga ang nabiktima sa Bagyong Odette. So ngayon, nagbigay tayo ng ayuda, mga relief goods. Nagbigay tayo ng isang sako na 25 kilos (kada pamilya),” he said.
“Marami tayong mga relief goods mula sa private sector na nabigay natin sa mga Tagbilaranon at malaking tulong dito ay yung bigay ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano,” he added.
On the other hand, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo advised beneficiaries in the city to use the cash aid as additional capital for their businesses and not for gambling.
“Use this cash aid as capital for your sari-sari store. Don’t use it to buy a new television set or cellphone. Don’t spend it on lottery or e-sabong. Grow your cash aid and build your business,” the mayor added. —
