In a fitting tribute to the barangay health workers who served as frontliners during the pandemic, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, joined by Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Senator Grace Poe’s son and chief of staff Brian Poe Llamanzares, led the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) to at least 1,000 beneficiaries consisting of such workers, as well as solo parents.
The distribution was made at the San Andres Sports Complex with Manila social welfare chief Re Fugoso assisting along with representatives from the office of Senator Poe and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In the said occasion, Lacuna expressed profound gratitude to Senator Poe for sending her own son to take part in the activity and for including Manila in her areas of concern.
“Alam nyo, napakaswerte ng Maynila dahil madaming taong tumutulong sa atin, alam nila ang pangangailangan ng bawat isang Manilenyo. Lahat kami ay instumento lamang.. lahat kami ay nagtutulong-tulong,” she said.
Lacuna added: ” Kayo po ang napili dahil kayo ang karapat-dapat.” The recipients included solo parents from the first district of Tondo.
The lady mayor commended the dedication and courage shown by the barangay health workers during the pandemic, citing how they disregarded the risks involved in the performance of their duties and the strength of solo parents in rearing their children alone.
“Kahit anong tulong ay malakng tulong kaya kailangan nating magpasalamat nang bonggang-bongga sa mga tumutulong sa atin,” as she led all those present in thanking the senator out loud and altogether.
The mayor then told Llamanzares: “In behalf of the 1,000 na matutulungan ngayon, nais kong ipaabot sa ating mabait na senadora ang taos-pusong pasalamat ng Maynila at bawat isang Manilenyo.”
Llamanzares, for his part, thanked Lacuna and Servo, saying without their assistance, the office of Senator Poe will not be able to extend help to the chosen recipients, whom he said are deserving.
As chairman of the “FPJ Panday Bayanihan,” Llamanzares said he is continuing the legacy of his grandfather, Fernando Poe, Jr., who has always helped as many as possible during his lifetime.
Servo, for his part, also lauded the barangay health workers and the solo parents for their resilience as she thanked Poe for always including Manila in her programs.
Servo also recounted how the late FPJ always helped the residents when he would go to Blumentritt.
The AICS is one of the social welfare services of the DSWD that provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a person or family.
