VICE presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte hailed the sacrifices of the firefighters and for showing love to countrymen.

Mayor Sara, chairperson of Lakas-CMD and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), met the members of the Manila Volunteer Firefighters for the Filipinos during her campaign sortie in Manila.

Speaking in a “meet and greet” with the volunteer firefighters in Barangay 20, Isla Puting Bato Road in Tondo, the presidential daughter extended her gratitude for the warm welcome with loud truck sirens and “palm-in-the-chest” gesture.

“Sobrang na a-appreciate ko ang ginagawa n’yo, and thank you for your service sa ating mga kababayan. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyong mga volunteers sa tulong at suporta sa ating gobyerno at pagmamahal ninyo sa ating bayan,” she said.

Ramon Morales, Fire chief and Ronda 117 founder, stressed the importance of volunteer work in the Philippines especially in the medical sector.

Composed of over 300 members, the Manila Firefighter Volunteers is the first firefighter volunteers’ group in the Philippines.

Morales said direct service to the people was inspired from President Rodrigo Duterte that Mayor Sara can continue if she win as vice president.

“Kaya po nandito kami at handang tumulong, na pati buhay namin ay handa naming ibuwis para lang sa ating bayan,” Morales said.

BETTER EDUCATION

Still in Manila sortie, Mayor Sara underscored the importance of better education in fighting poverty.

Mayor Sara visited some family in an urban poor community in Barangay 105, Tondo Manila.

Ronald Abriol and his wife Analyn hosted the unexpected visitor as Sara dropped by in an urban poor relocation compound there .

The Abriols are garbage keepers for almost 20 years and have been sustaining the family’s basic needs with their meager income. The couple has eight children, including a set of triplets.

Analyn shared her struggles to Mayor Sara, hoping the vice presidential aspirant will help them resolve their problem. She said they earn an average of P85 to P150 daily and she wants face-to-face classes to resume as it is difficult for them to provide gadgets and internet access for online classes to her six children.

“Nahihirapan kami magturo sa mga anak namin. Walang signal,” she said.

Despite the situation, the Abriols still hope their children will finish their studies as a way out of poverty.

Analyn wished that the government will help them and other Filipinos experiencing the same challenges.

Mayor Sara, who advocates education as a way to get good employment and better quality of life, encouraged the Abriols to make the education of their children a priority.

“Siguraduhin natin ma’am na kung dito ninyo pinili na magtrabaho at tumira, mapagtapos natin yung mga bata para kung ano yung paghihirap natin, hindi nila maranasan,” Sara told the couple.