It is a known fact that the daily life of a Solo Mother, especially when she is economically poor, is really challenging. She has to balance her multiple roles of child-rearing and breadwinning. This situation has been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic since the last 2 years and just recently by the further devastating impact of super typhoon Odette.
Cebu, especially the Metro Cebu area and its southeastern and southwestern part were the worst hit by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette. Many people’s homes became roofless, severely damaged and a lot even lost their homes. Farmers and fisherfolk lost their livelihood.
To help our Solo Mothers in need, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) New Zealand Embassy through the CCCI Chamber Chapter of Cordova, Naga and Balamban distributed Cash Aid worth three thousand pesos (P3,000) and 1 box of bottled water to each of the 117 Solo Mothers who are beneficiaries of the ICT & Life Skills Training Project of CCCI and the New Zealand Embassy Manila implemented in partnership with the Local Government Units, the CCCI Chamber Chapters and the DICT. Of the 117 solo mothers, 16 are from Naga City, 43 from Balamban, 27 from Cebu City and 31 from Cordova.
The CCCI Cordova Chapter through its President Engr. Samuel Augusto and his Officers led the distribution to the 31 Solo Mother beneficiaries in Cordova at the school grounds of San Roque College de Cebu on December 27, 2021. Aside from the cash aid, the solo mothers also each received a 5-kilo pack of rice from Cordova councilor and President of San Roque College De Cebu Mr. Cesar Munez and CCCI Vice President for Cebu Business Mobilization Mr. Mike Cubos. Other donors also provided Hygiene kits and snack packs.
Distribution to 16 solo mothers in Naga City was led by CCCI Naga Chapter President Mr. Herbert Camasura and done on December 30, 2021 at the Naga City Hall.
Distribution to the 43 solo mothers in Balamban was led by the CCCI Balamban Chapter President, Engr. Allan Baylon and the LGU’s Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer (LIEPO), Ms. Maria Christina Miel and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development’s Solo Mother Focal Person, Ms. Merlinda Canillo on December 31, 2021 at the Municipal Hall of Balamban.
CCCI EDT Associate Ms. Karen Joy Autor distributed the assistance to the 27 solo mothers at the Cebu Chamber Centre on December 24, 2021.
Below are examples of the heartwarming feedback that CCCI has received from the solo mothers who received the cash aid and bottled water.
MARAMING salamat sa cash na binigay sa amin ng CCCI at NZ. MALAKING TULONG PO YUN sa pag bili ng dalawang yero para sa bobong namin at yung ibang pera binili namin ng bigas at canned goods, noodles at gatas for my kids. Malaking TULONG PO YUN sa tulad naming apektado sa bagyong Odette at sa tubig na binigay din po TULONG din po sa amin ng mga anak ko. Sobrang THANK YOU po NZ at CCCI sa cash and tubig. Sana marami pa kayong matulungan tulad namin apektado sa bagyong Odette
Helen Erojo Delgado, Brgy. Lorega, Cebu City
I am so happy. This cash aid will be a big help on our part. I really didn’t expect this, I was only told that we need to be here because we will be given bundles of joy. Before coming here, I only have a few savings left and was thinking about how I can stretch my budget with all the additional expenses due to typhoon Odette especially I am still jobless,
Maria Fe Bautista, Ibabao, Cordova, Cebu
Thank you Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry for always ready to lend a helping hand to support us all the way! May the good Lord bless us all
Yvonne Julita, Aliwanay, Balamban, Cebu
Thank you so much Cebu Chamber of Commerce CCCI. Dako na kaayo ning tabang namu. God bless
Sheilla May Genodiala, Langtad, City of Naga, Cebu
