A TOTAL of 2,500 tricycle drivers and operators of Dagupan benefitted from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the efforts of Senator Imee Marcos who came to the city on August 5.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said when all the 31 barangays of the city went under water because of the swelling of the Sinocalan River whose elevation reached at one time to 7.9 meters above sea level, she sent a text message to Senator Marcos, the elder sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., asking for help.

Senator Imee, better known to her supporters as “Super Ate”, opted to help members of  Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and distributed P2,000 financial assistance to each.

“The TODAs are close to my heart. When I was the governor of Ilocos Norte, they helped a lot in making Ilocos Norte among the top tourist destinations in the country,”  Senator Marcos said in her speech at CSI Stadia.

She said after a long travel by bus across eight provinces, tourists do not have a ride in going to their hotels. It is the TODA members who provided them rides to their respective destinations.

“So, they (TODA members) were my close partners,” she said.

The Senator also brought nutribuns and toys for some children of Dagupan.

Among those who welcomed Senator Marcos in Dagupan were Acting Governor Mark Lambino, P/Colonel Jeff Faged, police provincial director, and P/Lt. Colonel Brendon Palisoc, chief of police of Dagupan.

P/Brig. General John Chua, police regional director, also arrived in the city to greet the senator.

Senator Marcos, through the DSWD, also brought financial assistance to flood victims in Calasiao, Sta. Barbara and Binmaley.

Responding to expressions of gratitude, she said: “Talagang ganyan, iisa tayong pamilya. Ang Pangasinan is part of Region 1 and in this calamity, our motto is “Walang iwanan sa baha”. (Leonardo Micua)

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