Meager pay didn’t stop street sweeper from fulfilling big dreams for kin

 President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III hands over a Christmas noche buena pack to Catalina Cortez, a street sweeper from the city of Manila during the 11th day of PAGCOR’s “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog 2012” held on December 10, 2012 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAGCOR

MANILA, Philippines – She may be earning a meager income as a street sweeper but 64-year-old old Catalina Cortez said her job has helped her fulfill big dreams for her seven grandchildren.

“Maswerte po ako dahil kahit matanda na ako nabigyan pa din ako ng pagkakataong makapagtrabaho. Maliit man ang kinikita ko, malaki naman ang naitutulong nito upang mabigyan ko ng magandang bukas ang aking mga apo,” she said.

Cortez was among the 1,955 street sweepers from  the cities of Manila, Parañaque and Pasay, who received  gift packs from the  Philippine Amusement Gaming  Corporation on its 11^th day of “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2012”.

President Benigno Aquino III joined Pagcor’s gift-giving event at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Monday.

The state-gaming agency allocated over P2.8 million for the purchase of “noche buena” gift packs to the beneficiaries.

It was the first time that the agency hosted such a grand Christmas party for the street sweepers, Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr. said in a statement.

“Ang mga street sweepers ang nagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa maraming bahagi ng Metro Manila. Masaya kami sa Pagcor dahil ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan, nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na sila’y bigyang pugay sa kanilang mga sakripisyo. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na makakasama natin sila sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko,” Naguiat said.

Aquino’s presence, Naguiat said, made the event more relevant for Metro Manila’s street sweepers.

“We are thankful that the President has been very supportive of Pagcor’s annual gift-giving tradition. Since we launched the Pamaskong Handog project in 2010, he always had time to join us in spreading Christmas cheer to the marginalized sectors and less privileged Filipinos,” said Naguiat.

Colonel Carlos Baltazar, Department of Public Safety chief of Manila, said the government recognized the efforts of street sweepers, saying it always finds ways to uplift their living conditions.

He cited for instance the accident insurance being provided since street sweepers were exposed to road and environmental hazards.

“Bukod dito nagkakaloob din ang Manila City government ng scholarship para sa mga street sweepers na gustong makapagtapos ng kolehiyo at makakuha ng magandang trabaho,” Baltazar said.

He said he was grateful that the Manila’s street sweepers together with those from the cities of Pasay and Paranaque were chosen as beneficiaries of Pagcor’s gift-giving project.

“Ang mga street sweepers po ay nabibilang sa pinakamaliit na sector ng lingkod-bayan kaya’t marapat lang na sila’y mabigyan ng kasiyahan sa darating na Kapaskuhan. Maraming salamat sa Pagcor sa pagkilala sa dakilang gawain ng mga taong ito,” he added.