PAMPANGA Governor Lilia Pineda recently led the distribution of incentives to garbage scavengers in the four districts of Pampanga as she vowed to help them lead a life of dignity guaranteed by laws.
The beneficiaries received ten kilos of rice, packs of groceries, P1,000 plus school bags containing school supplies for their children, which were donations from the quarry operators of Porac town.
The distribution was held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando City.
In her message, the governor reiterated her support to uplift the lives of the scavengers by planning to give them jobs in the construction industry.
Pineda said that a construction company in the province is in need of workers and she is eyeing young scavengers aged 20 to 35 years old to be employed in order to earn.
Pineda also advised parents or adults who are sending their children to school to continue educating their kids, stressing that education in the province is given free from elementary to college.
“Pag-aralin ninyo ang inyong mga anak dahil libre ito sa mga state universities dito sa Pampanga. Kung nahihirapan kayo sa pamasahe i-aplay ninyo sila na mabigyan ng tulong mula sa kapitolyo. Huwag ninyong palampasin ang pagkakataon na sila ay makapag-aral para umangat ang inyong buhay,” she said.
The governor also explained the health benefits to be enjoyed by the scavengers when confined in all district hospitals and the regional hospital of the province.
Pineda asked the support of the scavengers to assist the local government in the war against drugs by reporting suspected drug pushers and users even through text or calls to authorities. (PR)