BAGUIO CITY — The ‘Bayanihan Caravan’ program of Senator Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano provided crucial assistance to thousands of Filipinos in Luzon through the distribution of medical, livelihood, and burial aid.

On July 6 and 7, teams representing sibling-senators Alan and Pia Cayetano’s office embarked on visits to Baguio City, Manila, and San Pascual in Batangas.

These visits were integral to the program’s ongoing endeavors to foster communal unity and provide assistance to those in need.

In Baguio City, 800 individuals received medical assistance at the Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).

The assistance covered hospital bills, medicines, diagnostic tests, and various medical procedures for patients battling chronic kidney disease, cancer, heart ailments, cysts, and neurological disorders.

The successful distribution was carried out in partnership with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and Baguio City Lone District Rep. Mark Go, and in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera Administrative Region, BGHMC Medical Center chief II Dr. Ricardo B. Ruñez, and Medical Social Services Department head Nora B. Mangusan.

Furthermore, over 300 small business owners received help through Senator Alan’s “Sari-saring Pag-asa Program” which provides livelihood assistance and guidance to promote business growth.

Rep. Go and Nelly Mason of DSWD-CAR Crisis Intervention Unit contributed to the success of the assistance distribution.

Among the beneficiaries was Amelito Bonifacio, who makes a living by selling taho at the Baguio Botanical Garden.

“Unang una po, nagpapasalamat po tayo sa Panginoon dahil nagbigay po siya ng instrumento upang mabigyan kami ng dagdag pang hanapbuhay, kaya maraming salamat po sa ating mga butihin nating mga senador na sila Senador Alan Peter at Pia Cayetano, pati kay Congressman Mark Go,” he said.

Baguio City resident Rona Serol also received an unexpected blessing when the ‘Bayanihan Caravan’ visited her area on July 6, 2023.

Serol is a kidney patient and she spends a lot of money on her treatment for chronic kidney disease — a potentially debilitating disease that ranks seventh in the country’s leading causes of death.

“Salamat po sa tulong na ibinigay niyo lalo na sa akin para sa aking monthly na gastos at pang-laboratoryo,” she said after receiving assistance.

“Patuloy kong ipinapanalangin ang buhay mo. Marami ka pang matutulungan at uupo ka pa rin bilang senador namin. Patnubayan ka ng Diyos!” Serol added.

Chona Marasigan from Barangay Fairview in Baguio City, whose husband, Anacleto, is a beneficiary, said the assistance her husband received for the treatment of his heart disease will add more days to his life.

“Senators Alan and Pia, thank you so much! You really are a big help to us. On behalf of the people of Baguio City, thank you for sending your people here to help our medical needs. God bless you!” Marasigan said.

In Manila, Cayetano’s team collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Public Service Employment Office (PESO) to provide emergency employment to 600 displaced workers, unemployed individuals, and underemployed residents.

The beneficiaries would receive salary and assistance through DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

The team conducted an orientation for the beneficiaries and provided them with aprons from  ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ — the sibling senators’ legal advice program that airs on GMA 7 —  to symbolize support for the Cayetanos’ mission.

Additionally, in Batangas, nearly 500 residents received medical and burial assistance through Cayetano’s Tulong-Medikal initiative and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) program of DSWD.

The distribution of assistance was coordinated with San Pacual, Batangas Mayor Antonio Dimayuga and former Representative Raneo Abu.