City of San Fernando — Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda recently led the distribution of incentives to scavengers from the four districts of Pampanga as she vowed to help them lead a life of dignity.
The beneficiaries received 10 kilos of rice, packs of groceries, P1,000.00 plus school bags containing school supplies for their children, which were donations from the quarry operators of Porac town. The distribution was held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
Pineda reiterated her support to uplift the lives of scavengers by planning to give them jobs in the construction site.
According to Pineda, a construction company in the province is in need of workers and she is eyeing young scavengers aged 20 to 35 years old to be employed in order to have an income.
The province’s chief executive also advised those parents or adults who are sending their children to school to continue educating their kids, stressing that education in the province is given free from elementary to collegiate level.
“Pag-aralin ninyo ang inyong mga anak dahil libre ito sa mga state universities dito sa Pampanga. Kung nahihirapan kayo sa pamasahe i-aplay ninyo sila na mabigyan ng tulong mula sa kapitolyo. Huwag ninyong palampasin ang pagkakataon na sila ay makapag-aral para umangat ang inyong buhay,” Pineda stressed.
The governor also explained the health benefits to be enjoyed by the scavengers when confined in all district hospitals and the regional hospital of the province.
She asked the support of the scavengers to assist the local government’s war against drugs by reporting suspected drug pushers and users even through text or calls to authorities.
Board Members Rosve Henson, Jun Canlas, Pritzie David Dizon, Cherry Manalo, and Arthur Punzalan, chief of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) also graced the event. –Aida B. Bungue/Pampanga PIO