Yuletide spirit
There is really no need to thank me as having the opportunity to be of public service is more than a great privilege and gift for me.
Daily TribuneThere is really no need to thank me as having the opportunity to be of public service is more than a great privilege and gift for me.
Christmas is a season of giving. More than the sumptuous meals and boisterous parties, what really defines Christmas are the small acts of kindness and generosity that we extend not only to our loved ones but even to total strangers knocking on our doors.
Other than finally getting to spend this Christmas with our families and friends, I think what really made this year's celebration special is witnessing so many Filipinos willing to spare some time and money to help our unfortunate brothers and sisters, even as they have not completely recovered from the trials brought by the pandemic and other crises.
Despite the many challenges that tested us one after another this year, I am grateful that we have reached this point together, all stronger than we were before. While we might have lost precious things and priceless people along the way, I hope that we have all gained a new appreciation for life and determination to look ahead while being spurred on by the memories and sacrifices of all those who paved the way for us.
I am thankful for having had the chance to serve our people yet again this year inside and outside the hallowed halls of the Senate.
It is also particularly heartwarming to be recognized for such public service and be recently hailed as an adopted son of Enrile, Cagayan and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. I have also earlier been pronounced as an adopted son of Iba, Zambales; Legazpi City, Albay; Balungao town in Pangasinan and Pangasinan province itself; Puerto Princesa City; Taal, Batangas; CALABARZON region; and Nueva Ecija province.
I am very grateful for such recognition because it is a great honor for me to be adopted as their own. However, like I always say, there is really no need to thank me as having the opportunity to be of public service is more than a great privilege and gift for me.
Through this position, I was able to successfully push for several proposals to augment the budget for our health and sports sectors, as reflected in the 2023 General Appropriations Act recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Through said increases, our vision of making affordable health services accessible to more Filipinos and of strengthening our grassroots sports programs will gain even more ground next year.
Meanwhile, I have also continued our constituency services through outreach activities across the country last week.
On 19 December, we kicked off our distributions in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro where I witnessed the groundbreaking of the town's Super Health Center before personally leading two separate relief efforts. One was to help boost the livelihood recovery of 156 micro-entrepreneurs and 200 livestock growers in the town, with the former receiving assistance to start their own microenterprises and the latter accepting grants for the purchase of cows to boost their agriculture-related livelihood activities through our initiative and with the help of the provincial and municipal government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The other relief effort was for 500 of the town's indigents.
This was followed on 22 December in Davao de Oro where I likewise witnessed the groundbreaking of the Nabunturan Super Health Center and personally aided 500 indigents in the town.
The next day, I joined our former president Rodrigo Duterte in visiting Balay Dangupan in Davao City. Bearing gifts for 49 abandoned kids and 29 staff in the said shelter, we hope that we have at least left them a reason to smile this Yuletide season. I also personally visited 49 less fortunate elderly and 20 staff at Co Su Gian Home for the Aged on the same day to give some food, Christmas baskets, and balls.
To further spread the holiday cheer, my office also simultaneously conducted a series of relief operations nationwide for our indigent Filipinos. Beneficiaries include 1,666 in Claver, Surigao del Norte; 394 in Cagayan de Oro City and 183 in Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental; 500 in Candelaria, Zambales; 200 in Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur; 120 in Cainta, Rizal; 150 in Angeles City, Pampanga; and 350 in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.
Likewise assisted were families affected by separate fire incidents, including 38 in Talisay City, Cebu; 75 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; 14 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; nine in Santa Ana, Pampanga; and nine individuals in Medina, Misamis Oriental.
I hope that everyone had a meaningful celebration with their loved ones this Christmas. My only wish is for all our people to be safe, healthy, and prosperous next year. To fulfill this, I hope we can all keep our vigilance against the pandemic even as we enjoy our gatherings. May we also continue to keep the true Christmas spirit of kindness and generosity alive even as we go on with our everyday lives.
Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!