While most local government units were busy packing rice and canned goods, Mayor Emerson “Emeng” Pascual of Gapan City, Nueva Ecija deviated from the “norm”. Instead, he provided a sack of rice, a live chicken, fresh eggs and vegetables, and a thousand pesos for every family.
According to an article published by Manila Bulletin, he donated his salary that he received since he started his term to acquire enough funds. This amounted to P4.5 million but it was still not enough. He donated P1.5 million from his own pocket and his father and sister donated P5 million each.
He realized that the people cannot stay at their houses amid the community quarantine since they need money to feed their family. He listened to the cries of the people and made action accordingly. “I prevent them from working and ask them to stay at home. I need to make sure that they don’t have any excuse not to follow it,” he said.
He provided aid not only for his people but also for others. He took responsibility for the workers that were stranded in the city due to lockdown. “Kahit hindi ka taga Gapan, kahit hindi ka botante ng Gapan, tutulungan namin kayo. Sa Gapan walang magugutom,” he stated in a post in his FB page. He also prioritized to give one thousand pesos to jeepney drivers, bus vendors, tricycle drivers, and dispatchers. In addition, Gapan City recently had their own rapid testing station in which they provide the tests for free.
He also does not forget to fulfill his prior duties as the father of the city. Not long ago, he personally visited and gave aid to a visually impaired resident who, despite his condition, makes slippers just to earn a living for his family. This is in spite of all the things that a mayor needs to do due to the pandemic.
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HiLites ASHS 