Elderly man’s 8-hour bike ride for aid receives DSWD support
The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday, Nov. 28, extended assistance to the elderly biker who went viral after biking for hours with his two children to seek help from a charity. Photo from the DSWD.
MANILA, Philippines — An elderly man who biked for eight hours with his two children in the hopes of getting financial aid has finally received assistance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday.
Romy Manzano, 63, recently gained attention on social media after his struggle was shared online on Nov. 24.
Based on the Facebook post of First Bike Ride, which the DSWD shared on its press release, Manzano cycled for four hours from his residence in Parañaque City to seek help from a charitable institution in Manila, only to find out that they were already late to avail assistance.
This family traveled over four hours on a bicycle to seek help from charity, only to find out that they couldn’t avail…
Posted by First Bike Ride on Friday, November 24, 2023
The post said that Manzano, who was carrying his children on his bicycle, then had to pedal back home for another four hours.
On Tuesday, the DSWD, through its field office in the National Capital Region (NCR), extended assistance to the Manzano family.
With the instructions of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, NCR Regional Director Atty. Michael Joseph Lorico coordinated with the Parañaque City government to find Manzano and his family to provide them with the necessary assistance.
The family received financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program, the DSWD noted.
The department also said that it conducted a validation for Manzano to initiate his application process for the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens.
“The DSWD and the Parañaque City local government will continue to monitor and check whether additional assistance can be extended to Manzano and his family,” department spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for strategic communications Romel Lopez said.
Meanwhile, the DSWD further shared that Manzano expressed gratitude and appreciation for the government assistance they received.
“Maraming maraming salamat sa DSWD at kay Mayor Eric Olivarez, malaking tulong ito para sa aming pamilya, pang-gastos araw-araw at pambili ng gamot,” Manzano said.
(Thank you very much to the DSWD and Mayor Eric Olivarez. This is a big help for our family, for our daily expenses, and for buying medicines.)
Manzano used to work as a welder but lost his job due to the pandemic. He had no choice but to collect recyclables to sustain his family’s needs, the DSWD said.
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