In over 20 years of working as a public servant, I have come to treasure the time I get to spend personally talking to the people we are mandated to serve, listening to their worries, finding solutions to their problems, and leaving a smile on their faces in their times of struggle and grief.

Every time I visit some of the most vulnerable communities across our country, I always feel humbled to be able to serve our fellow Filipinos. At the same time, I get constantly reminded of just how crucial it is for our government to provide more reliable support and adequate social services to enable our people, especially the hopeless and the helpless, to eventually achieve a safer and more comfortable life.

That is why as much as I can, I make sure to schedule several relief operations in various provinces that I could personally lead to also learn firsthand the most pressing challenges that our people are facing amid these unprecedented times.

On 4 October, I visited the province of Misamis Oriental and extended aid to 301 existing and aspiring small business owners from El Salvador City and from the towns of Opol, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Naawan, Manticao, Lugait, Laguindingan, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Claveria. Our micro, small and medium enterprises have always been the backbone of our economy. I hope we can help these enterprises recoup their losses due to the pandemic and create new jobs and opportunities for our people.

Later that day, I went straight to Cagayan de Oro City with my team and brought grocery packs, masks, vitamins meals and shirts to 381 families who were affected by separate fire incidents in the city.

We also provided select individuals with bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and watches, as well as balls for volleyball and basketball to encourage them to get into sports and stay away from illegal drugs or other vices.

Meanwhile, I also witnessed virtually and extended my gratitude during the groundbreaking of another Super Health Center, this time in Alangalang, Leyte.

The following day, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony of yet another Super Health Center, this time in Glan, Sarangani before celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day and personally spearheading a relief activity for 500 of the town's struggling residents.