Family gets pedicab from lawmaker's livelihood program

Saturday, July 16, 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- An indigent family from Barangay Dela Paz here is a beneficiary of the Sulong Trabaho nang Dong Gonzales (STRA-DG) program that gives free pedicabs to poor families as a means of easy livelihood.

Jerome Yalung, now 21, got married at the age of 19. He has to care for his two kids and his pregnant wife Roxane Kate, also 21. The young family has been through hard times, with Yalung trying every odd job available in the community.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

"It is difficult to find a good job since I was not able to finish college. All I could get are occasional jobs from neighbors," Yalung said in the vernacular.

Representative Gonzales personally visited the family in their modest home here to personally turn over the pedicab to Yalung. He said the pedicab program is the most viable support program for poor families living in urban communities.

The lawmaker also said the program requires no capital, environment-friendly and provides a daily dose of exercise for the operator.

"I urge this family to work hard and put their children to school. I am willing to help them with their schooling so that the family can get out of poverty in the future," Gonzales said, adding that Yalung should do all he can to keep his children in school.

The pedicab, Gonzales said, will be a great help in providing for the daily needs of the family.

Yalung thanked Gonzales for the pedicab, stressing they were surprised to see the lawmaker personally extend the livelihood support to their family. He said he will start the operation of his pedicab in the village this week.

In May this year, Gonzales distributed 10 pedicabs to 10 poorest of the poor families in the district. The pedicabs cost some P10,000 each and could yield a minimum of P300 to P600 per day on the part of the operator depending on the route of operation.