Engr. Danny Babylon, former Candaba, Pampanga mayor, donates 50 sacks, 500 dressed chicken, 5,000 eggs to NPC.
THE National Press Club advises all its 80 members who qualified as beneficiaries of the cash assistance program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to expect to receive a text advisory/confirmation from ‘Palawan Express’ at any moment starting today (May 6, 2020).
“All beneficiaries of this special, community-based, ‘work-from-home’ program by the DOLE extended to the NPC should start receiving a text message from Palawan Express informing them to claim their cash aid at its outlet, said Paul M. Gutierrez, NPC Vice President.
Gutierrez is in charge of the special committee formed by Pres. Rolly ‘Lakay’ Gonzalo, to help their members cope up with the difficult situation brought about by the ‘COVID-19’ pandemic that prompted Pres. Duterte to place the entire country under a state of national emergency last March.
“In this regard, the NPC extends its sincerest thanks to the office of DOLE secretary, Silvestre Bello III, for recognising that members of the press, especially, the correspondents (those paid for every published photo or article) in the media industry, are among the most severely affected by this pandemic,” Gutierrez added.
The NPC originally submitted the names of 135 of its members, from its list of more than 350 (regular) members, for consideration by the DOLE- NCR office for its special work program as the pandemic rages.
The program seeks to assist those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) resulting from the pandemic. Severely affected by the ECQ (community lockdown) are those living and working in the National Capital Region.
The DOLE, however, notified the NPC that of the original list, only 80 members of the press qualified for the cash aid amounting P5,300 each, which is equivalent to P530 per day, the basic rate per day of work at the NCR.
Meanwhile, the NPC also extends its gratitude to former Candaba, Pampanga mayor, Engr. Danilo Baylon, for donating 50 sacks of rice (50 kilos each), 500 dressed chicken and 5,000 eggs to the NPC early today.
“This ‘gift’ to the NPC is truly unexpected and we can only express our profoundest thanks to Engr. Baylon, his wife, Apo Iway, their company, Dan Way and, the religious groups around him who are helping him ensure that the relief goods he has been distributing all over the country reach their beneficiaries,” Gutierrez said.
The donation to the NPC by Engr. Baylon and his wife was made possible thru the effort of NPC member, Gina Mape, and radio broadcaster, Joel Gorospe, of radio station, DWWW.
With the development, Gutierrez said they intend to distribute the donation to all press corps and media entities, especially in Metro Manila.
“But since the dressed chicken are perishable in nature, it shall be distributed on a ‘first come, first serve,’ basis,” Gutierrez added. ###