Some 84 junkshop workers will enjoy a package of benefits given by the provincial government as part of Governor Lilia G. Pineda’s program of improving the lives of the marginalized sector of society.
“Bukod sa bagong mga pushcart, bibigyan din natin sila ng Philhealth card at mga access card sa ating mga district at provincial hospital,” the governor disclosed.
With the access card, the card holder and his family members shall have access to services of the provincial and district hospitals in the province.
The governor also said that junkshop workers could become “our partners in monitoring the peace and order situation in the barangays”, serving as lookouts for possible criminal elements therein.
“Imbes na sila ang napagkakamalang gumagawa ng di maganda sa ating mga komunidad, gawin natin silang kaagapay sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan dahil sila ang madalas lumibot sa ating mga barangay.”
In a short program held at the Benigno Aquino Hall, the beneficiaries were given P1000 each as part of the provincial government’s package of benefits for them.
SSupt. Edgardo Tinio urged them to help in monitoring the peace and order situation in their communities, “matutulungan n’yo kami at kayo mismo ay makikinabang sa payapang pamumuhay sa inyong mga komunidad”.
Elizabeth Baybayan of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) emphasized that the governor employs a holistic approach in the services that the provincial government provides.
“Bukod sa tulong pangkabuhayan, ang Philhealth card at access card sa mga district at provincial hospital ay tulong pangkalusugan sa inyong mga pamilya; ang pagmomonitor naman sa mga posibleng may di kanais-nais na galaw sa mga barangay ay tulong pangkapayapaan,” Baybayan explained.
The governor also earlier said that scholarships may also be given to deserving children of the beneficiaries which would take care of the education aspect of the services.
The Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO, Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and PSWDO took charge of processing the application papers of the members of the association.
The brand new push carts will be distributed to the beneficiaries after which the other services shall follow.
Baybayan told the beneficiaries that as soon as the implementing rules and regulations of the project are finished, they will feel even more strongly the impact of services provided by the provincial government, “dahil gusto ni Governor na maramdaman n’yo na ito sa lalong madaling panahon”. (Eloisa P. Galang, Pampanga PIO)
