Part of its corporate social responsibility, the Bridges of Benevolent Initiatiative Foundation Inc. (BBIFI) has distributed grocery packs to some 1,050 elderlies and differently abled residents of San Simon in Pampanga, Friday.
BBIFI has partnered with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Komeya and the local government of San Simon in fulfilling this mission to help the indigent members of the community.
“Pane na pung sasabyan ning kektamung BBI Foundation President Dr. Irineo ‘Bong’ Alvaro, ing importansiya ning pamanyawup. At ini, bahagi ne pu ning CSR na ning kekatamung kumpanya na nung nukarin meglaan tamung pondu para sumawup kareng kabalen tamung mangailangan,” BB International Administrative Manager Renato ‘Enix’ Salvador said.
A total of P3,300,000 was allocated to fund the community program dubbed ‘Programang Kahandaan sa Kalamidad’
In attendance to show support to San Simonians is Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros.
“Napapanahon po ang programang ito lalo na’t bawat buwan ay may delubyo o kalamidad na dumarating sa ating mga komunidad. Dito sa Pampanga, katatapos lamang dumaan ng Bagyong Rosita. Nitong Abril lang din, tumama ang magnitude 6.1 na lindol sa buong lalawigan.
Sa tulong ng mga relief packs na pinamahagi natin ngayon, sana po kayo ay mas maging handa at ligtas sa anumang sakuna,” Senator Riza Hontiveros emphasized in her speech.
Moreover, the lady senator reiterated signed laws for senior citizens and persons with disabilities: the Universal Health Law, Anti- Hospital Deposit Law and Automatic Philhealth Coverage for PWDs.
Currently, she is pushing the P1,000 monthly allowance to seniors ages 65 years old and above, and the formation of Senior Citizen Help Desk under the proposed Anti-Elder Abuse bill.
Hontiveros was joined by Nick Abelardo, former executive director of BBIFI, Danny Consumido, new BBIFI executive director and San Simon Vice Mayor Leonora Wong.
Apart from the food packs, BBIFI distributed 20 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities of San Simon.
“Malaking ginhawa po sa amin itong wheelchair na ibinigay ng BBI. May kapatid po akong nagda-dialysis at hirap po ako sa pagbuhat sa kanya. Kung minsan po ay pinagtutulungan na lang ng mga kapit-bahay.
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa BBI, sa OSCA namin at kay Senador Risa,” said Leticia Nayat, one of the beneficiaries of wheelchairs.
The foundation’s Chief Finance Officer Atty. Sheryl Santos Centeno said the CSR program took a year to plan and is now set to extend the relief drive in various barangays of Region III namely Mabuanbuan and Malusac in Sasmuan, Calantipe and Sucad in Apalit, Sto. Rosario and San Agustin in San Luis, Carmen, Zaragoza in Nueva Ecija, Bilolo, Orion in Bataan, Pagasa, Olongapo City in Zambales and Balaoang, Paniqui in Tarlac.