Welcoming the New Year with peace, good health
Our nation is renowned for its resilient spirit of Bayanihan and our unique tradition of mutual aid and cooperation
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Our nation is renowned for its resilient spirit of Bayanihan and our unique tradition of mutual aid and cooperation
Another year has ended, and I hope everyone welcomes the New Year with good health and peace. Every new beginning brings fresh hope for everyone. In this light, I wish every Filipino a happier and healthier new year toward a better future with good physical and mental health.
By being healthy, we can do our tasks efficiently, accomplish our goals, and bear all our challenges. The best way to fulfill our responsibilities to our family and country is to be healthy. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to be at the peak of our health as much as possible.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, I encourage everyone to observe health protocols in light of existing and emerging health threats such as Covid-19, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. If possible, may we all voluntarily wear masks to protect not only ourselves but also, most especially, our loved ones who are vulnerable.
Moreover, as we join gatherings with our families, friends, and loved ones, let us enjoy in moderation, especially regarding the food we eat. While it is understandable to indulge in celebratory dishes during this season, keep in mind the limits of our own bodies and try to avoid extra sweet, salty, and fatty foods.
Furthermore, let us welcome the New Year responsibly by avoiding accidents, injuries, or fatalities caused by the use of firecrackers. A few moments of merrymaking are not worth a lifetime of regret. There are other ways to celebrate this season that are safer and more meaningful — one of which I highly recommend is supporting the Metro Manila Film Festival.
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As a member of the MMFF Executive Committee, I urge my fellow Filipinos to bring their families and friends to watch and support our local film industry. This is an opportunity to showcase Filipino filmmakers' skills, talent, and creativity. Every ticket purchased is an investment in the future of Filipino art and culture through films.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Public Information, I have also filed Senate Bill No. 1183 or the "Media and Entertainment Workers Welfare Act". This proposal aims to provide enhanced protection, security, and incentives for media workers in the country across all platforms. The bill includes provisions for additional health insurance coverage, overtime and night differential pay, hazard pay, and other benefits to safeguard the rights and welfare of media workers.
I recently expressed support for the "Eddie Garcia bill" as one of its co-authors. The bill honors the late actor and aims to provide further support and protection to movie and television industry workers. I do hope that its final version if passed, will consider the insights of local producers to ensure that we can uplift the industry while promoting the welfare of its workers.
As the year draws to a close, may this be a time for reflection on all the things we learned in the past, the challenges we are facing today, and our hopes and aspirations for a better, brighter, healthier future. Let us continue to lend a helping hand in whatever way possible to our fellow Filipinos and show compassion to the poor and those who need our attention the most. This is why my Malasakit Team continues to go around the country to provide aid and support to those in need.
On 28 December, I visited and extended assistance to 361 fire victims in Brgy. Leon Garcia, Agdao, Davao City. The affected households received my team's grocery packs, shirts, vitamins, masks, water containers, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, watches, and pairs of shoes. I thank the government agencies and the LGU for responding to the community's needs. Simultaneously, my Malasakit Team also assisted 18 other fire victims from Brgy. Vicente Duterte, Agdao, Davao City.
Before 2023 ended, we also supported displaced workers in various parts of the country. In Batangas City, we aided 84 beneficiaries in partnership with former Brgy. Capt. Emma Tumambing, and another 50 with Board Member Arthur Blanco; while in Lemery and Tanauan, we assisted 169 residents with Board Member Alfredo Corona. In Zambales, we supported 177 displaced workers in Botolan with Board Member Sam Ablola and another 177 in Iba with Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. In Sta. Cruz, Laguna, 177 residents received help in collaboration with Congresswoman Jam Agarao. In Antique, we assisted 180 people in San Remigio with Mayor Mar Mission and another 180 in Sibalom with Vice Governor Ed Denosta. With Vice Mayor Choy Aznar, we helped 192 in Talisay City, Cebu. The Department of Labor and Employment also gave the qualified beneficiaries temporary employment.
Additionally, 155 micro-entrepreneurs in Sta. Cruz and Laguna received further support from my office apart from the livelihood kits they received from the Department of Trade and Industry. We also supported 600 TESDA graduates in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
On 29 December, my Malasakit Team also visited Boston, Davao Oriental, to inspect the construction of a Super Health Center. We also distributed aid such as rice, foodpacks, bags, shirts, balls, and other essential goods to residents still recovering from Typhoon Kabayan, particularly 400 beneficiaries in the town of Boston, 100 in Manay, 100 in Cateel, 100 in Baganga and 800 in Caraga town. We plan to continue to assist these beneficiaries in the coming days.
We also distributed free rice porridge to some patients and families while seeking medical assistance at the Malasakit Centers inside the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Rizal Medical Center, and Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.
Meanwhile, I am also grateful for the Dangal ng Bayan Award by Gawad Pilipino 2023: Duyan ka Ng Magiting. While I am honored by this recognition, with or without an award, I will continue to serve to the best of my ability.
As we embrace the New Year with open arms, I wish everyone a joyful and healthy New Year, for I believe that health is equivalent to life itself. I also hope we continue supporting each other as a family. Our nation is renowned for its resilient spirit of Bayanihan and our unique tradition of mutual aid and cooperation. Despite our challenges, the most vital thing is that we remain united and safe.
Again, thank you, and may we all have a healthier, prosperous, and Happy New Year!
