Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, on Wednesday, handed over an assistance package worth P630,000 to the family of Jimmy Pacheco, a Filipino caregiver who was recently released from Hamas captivity. This package is a combined effort from Speaker Romualdez and the Marcos administration.
Jimmy Pacheco, 33, was captured by the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, during an attack on October 7. His release on November 24 was facilitated through the concerted efforts of the Philippine government and various organizations.
Acknowledging the ordeal Pacheco endured, Speaker Romualdez expressed his empathy for the physical and psychological trauma experienced by Pacheco. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting its citizens, especially in times of dire need.
Accompanied by his wife Clarice Joy and their three children, as well as his mother Felicitas, Pacheco received the aid in person. The assistance included P500,000 in cash from the Office of the Speaker, P10,000 each for Pacheco and his wife from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and P5,000 each for his children’s education. Furthermore, livelihood assistance totaling P95,000 was provided, incorporating contributions from both DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program and the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Speaker Romualdez concluded by welcoming Pacheco home and acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) like him, whom he termed as modern-day heroes for their families and the nation.