CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda vowed to provide PhilHealth and district hospital access cards to more than 400 members of the newly formed Pampanga Junkshop Owners Association who attended a conference held at the People’s Gym, Capitol compound recently.
“Hindi na kayo mamomroblema kapag nagkasakit kayo o kung sino man sa pamilya ninyo,” (Health will no longer be a problem for you or any member of your family), Pineda told the junkshop owners.
The governor said these health benefits are part of the provincial government’s “K5” program or the “Kariton Para sa Kalinisan, Kabuhayan, Kalusugan, at Katahimikan”, launched last month.
Luningning Vergara of the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and Mamerto “Bert” Gatus of the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO) thanked the junkshop owners and operators for their cooperation in the launching of K5.
Both assured the beneficiaries that they can always count on the provincial government in providing services that could help improve their quality of life, like the K5 program.
According to Gatus, the governor recognizes the effort of hardworking citizens like the junkshop owners, thus the launching of programs to help improve their livelihood.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mar Auchico also addressed the beneficiaries and reminded them to seek help from their rural health units (RHUs) for their health concerns, as well as their family members.
Provincial Police Director SSupt. Edgardo Tinio even acknowledged the role of junkshops in maintaining peace and order throughout the province.
“They are good sources of information since they know the streets well and they constantly travel to different places,” Tinio disclosed.
Furthermore, Pineda granted a college scholarship to Valentino Garcia, a 19-year old “mangalakal” of San Luis and member the federation.
“At a very young age, these people are striving hard to provide for their family. Some even sacrifice their education to help their parents earn more money for the family. We have to assist them in any way we can,” Pineda declared. (Angelique DC. Tuazon, Pampanga PIO)
