Press Release - Cayetanos bring hope, assistance to thousands in SOCCSKSARGEN communities

Hope and relief filled the air in SOCCSKSARGEN Region as the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano brought much-needed assistance across the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato from July 16 to 26, 2024.

Benefitting at least 10,000 individuals, the Cayetano team provided aid to farmers, fisherfolk, persons with disabilities (PWD), women's groups, solo parents, and youth in the municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan, Malungon, Maitum, Kiamba, and Glan in Sarangani, and in Surallah, South Cotabato.

One of the beneficiaries, Richel Nacion Buday from Alabel, shared her heartfelt gratitude.

"Malaking tulong ito sa amin na galing kila Senador Pia at Alan Peter Cayetano. Barangay official ang husband ko. Malaking tulong ang natanggap namin pambili ng gamit ng mga bata [para sa darating na pasukan]," Buday said during the distribution event at Alabel Municipal Gymnasium on July 16, 2024.

A teary-eyed Connie Odron from South Cotabato, who has been a health worker for eight years, also expressed her appreciation.

"Minsan medyo pagod lang, pero kailangan magsikap para sa pang-araw araw... Gagamitin ko ito pang bayad ng check-up at pang gamot," Odron shared during the event held at Surallah Municipal Gym on July 23, 2024.

More Sarangans - almost 1,600 - will be given vital assistance on Monday, July 29, in the municipality of Maasim.

All these events were made possible in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (DSWD AICS) Program, with the help of DSWD 12 Regional Director Loreto Cabaya.

Former You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) Partylist (now LUNAS) Representative Carol Lopez, together with local leaders Malapatan Mayor Salway "Jun" Sumbo Jr., Malungon Councilor Zusima Del Rosario, Kiamba Mayor George Falgui, and Surallah Mayor Pedro "Cano" Matinong also played key roles in this initiative, ensuring that timely aid reached those in need.

Numbering in the thousands in this aid distribution, solo parents are among the target beneficiaries of Senator Pia Cayetano and Rep. Carol Lopez, who played significant roles in the signing into law of the Solo Parents Act in 2000. The law now