Fueled by the increasing number of previous beneficiaries coming forward to share their stories of renewed hope, former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies on Friday distributed P10,000 in cash assistance each to 500 new beneficiaries in Cavite under the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program.

The beneficiaries came from at least eight different municipalities and cities in the province, all of whom were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of livelihood.

Four hundred (400) of them were selected with the help of the local government, while the remaining 100 were chosen online.

The online entries were screened in real time based on their stories of struggles amid the ongoing crisis and verified through voice call.

From this group of beneficiaries, 10 online viewers who commented on the “Ayuda Bayanihan Caravan” Facebook livestream held before the program as well as 2 frontliners who were visited at their homes during the pre-show,  were given P10,000 in the first part of the program.

Together with the previous beneficiaries of the program from the other provinces and cities in the country, the P10,000 cash aid has helped a total of 2,048 families.

The “Sampung Libong Pag-Asa” campaign showcases a key part of Cayetano’s economic recovery plan to assist Filipino families with cash assistance to help them purchase their basic needs and revive their sources of income amid the ongoing pandemic.

Leni del Rosario, a vendor and a sari-sari store owner from Kawit, Cavite who had received P10,000 from a previous episode of the program, said she shared a portion of the cash aid with a neighbor who became a victim of a fire incident in their area.

“Iba na, parang kaya na -- laban! Kasi medyo kumita na nang maayos, [nakapagdagdag] ng aming konting appliances para pang-hanapbuhay,” del Rosario said, thanking Cayetano and his group for the cash assistance.

(It’s different now, I feel like we can make it! We earned a little more because of the cash aid, and we were even able to buy a few more appliances for our livelihood.)

Cayetano said the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program symbolizes the potential of a P10,000 cash aid “not as dole-out” but as an economic stimulus.

“‘Yun po ang gusto natin talaga. When you plant the seed at namunga, [sila] naman ang magtatanim sa iba. May transformation sa livelihood n’ya pati po sa puso n’ya,” he said, referring to del Rosario’s story.

(That’s what we really want to happen. When you plant the seed and it bears fruit in people, they will be the ones who will plant the seed in others. There will be transformation not just in their livelihood but also in their hearts.)

“Isipin n’yo po, mula Aparri hanggang Jolo, kung lahat ng Pilipino may P10,000 eh ‘di lahat po ng sari-sari store, lahat ng karinderya [lalago],” he added.

(Just think of it: if every Filipino family from Aparri to Jolo has P10,000, then all variety stores and eateries will earn a lot more.)

Leopoldo Salgado Jr., a performer from Cavite who also became a beneficiary of the program today, expressed his gratitude to Cayetano and the people behind the project.

“Maglalaan din ako kahit papaano sa puhunan kasi hindi pu-pwedeng ibayad mo lang nang ibayad kasi hindi din matatapos ‘yung problema,” he said.

(I will set aside some amount for capital because I can’t just use the money to pay my bills. That won’t solve my problems.)

Cayetano was joined by Cavite 1st District Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya, Cavite 3rd District Rep. Alex Advincula, Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jonjon” Ferrer IV, General Trias Vice Mayor Maurito “Morit” Sison, Silang Mayor Socorro Rosario Poblete, Cavite City Mayor Totie Paredes, Noveleta Vice Mayor Arlynn Torres, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, and Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.