Poe sends aid to poor families, students affected by COVID-19 pandemic

The Office of Senator Grace Poe extends assistance to families who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of  Sen. Grace Poe’s Office

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe’s office has extended assistance to the country’s vulnerable sectors amid the persistent threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement Wednesday, the senator’s office said that among the assistance provided to poor families are medicines and relief goods.

“Now more than ever, we need to extend all the support we can give so that we can recover together. Even a little help, when pooled together, can make a big difference in our people’s lives,” Poe said.

Aside from marginalized families, the legislator likewise donated tablets to students to keep up with online classes.

Poe noted that the COVID-19 health crisis posed a hurdle to learners whose parents with livelihood struggles prompted them to drop out of schools.

“At a time when the world has seemingly come to a halt, education must continue so that our children won’t feel that their dreams will also have to be put on hold,” she said.

READ: Poor internet connection forces suspension of online classes

READ: From P10,000 to P6,000 a month: How PH poor are sinking deeper

The senator has earlier organized a relief drive to Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, Surigao, and Lanao del Sur — provinces that were ravaged by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 2021.

“Ang bayanihan ay hindi dapat iwanan lamang sa kamay ng ating mga mamamayan. Kailangan nilang maramdaman ang tulong ng gobyerno sa bawat hakbang patungo sa pag-ahon,” said the senator.

(The spirit of helping should not be left in the hands of our citizens. They need to feel the help of the government in every step towards recovery.)

Poe’s office said that the donations were handed out by the Panday Bayanihan Foundation which was formed in response to Typhoon Maring in 2013.