Local journalists thank Pacman for rice assistance

By Aquiles Z. Zonio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --  Local journalists here expressed gratitude to Sen. Manny Pacquiao for extending rice assistance to them during time of crisis.

Joseph Jubelag, president of the Soccsksargen Press Club, said “It was a big help to us local journalists considering that most of us earn on a day-to-day basis. Because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), most of us could not go out to do our usual business.”

Jubelag claimed that ECQ being implemented by the local government here has greatly affected the operation of many media entities particularly those depending on local advertisements.

Gensan has remained Covid-19 free after one of the identified Covid-19 patient managed to recover from the malady and was discharged from the hospital late last week.

Said patient acquired the infection while attending in a 6-cock derby in Matina Gallera last March 7 and 10.

“The rice assistance extended by the good senator was a big help to the local journalists. We really appreciate his concern to us. It’s good that he has not forgotten the local media, who are also considered frontliners because of the nature of our work,” Jubelag added.

Around 15 media entities were given rice assistance on Monday by Senator Manny Pacquiao. Four sacks of rice were allocated per radio station, while the rest – especially the local tabloids – were given one or two sacks each.

The budget came from the personal pocket of Pacquiao.

Earlier, Pacquiao, through his personal money, gave out 50 sacks of rice assistance to the Police Regional Office 12 and 650 sacks to local residents considered as indigents.

“Media practitioners, particularly those in the provinces, are one of those considered as neglected sectors. You see, even during times of health crisis they continue to serve the public by providing news and information,” Pacquiao said in a mobile phone interview.

The senator from Mindanao believes the presence of the media is necessary not only in sustaining our freedom and democracy but also in keeping the public abreast of the latest development on Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our media friends continue to do their work despite the concomitant risks involved in their profession.  And I do appreciate so much what they are doing,” Pacquiao said.

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