FPJ Panday Bayanihan Distributes Relief Packs in Pangasinan
San Carlos, Pangasinan — FPJ Panday Bayanihan distributed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) relief packs to families severely affected by recent calamities. This initiative is part of a wider effort to bring urgent aid to communities in need.
Representative Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan emphasized that this relief operation in Pangasinan is one among many. Poe worked closely with DSWD to streamline logistics and deliver essential supplies to San Carlos, which has recently declared a “state of calamity.”
“This was our promise, that we would help those in need,” Poe said. “Over the past week, FPJ Panday Bayanihan has been supporting typhoon victims in Rizal, Laguna, Bicol Region, and now here in Pangasinan through DSWD, our volunteers, and private donors. This effort would not have been possible without their dedication. Thank you to all our volunteers,” he added.
Poe also expressed gratitude to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and the Philippine Army for their assistance in distributing aid across his home province.
Protecting Volunteers Through Good Samaritan Law
Despite the success of these relief efforts, Poe voiced concern about the safety and welfare of volunteers. With the Philippines facing more frequent natural disasters, he filed House Bill No. 2195, known as the “Good Samaritan Law,” to offer legal protection to those who risk their lives to help others.
The bill aims to shield government responders and civilian volunteers from civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith during emergencies. “In a country as disaster-prone as the Philippines, we cannot afford for our heroes to hesitate,” Poe said. “We must protect those who choose to help.”
Key Provisions of the Good Samaritan Law
The measure acknowledges the vital role of both trained responders and everyday Filipinos who embody the spirit of bayanihan by stepping up during crises. As long as their actions are free from gross negligence or willful misconduct, they will be exempt from lawsuits and criminal charges.
Poe pointed out that legal fears have discouraged many from volunteering before. “This measure ensures that the fear of legal consequences does not stand in the way of compassion,” he stressed.
The bill also requires the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop clear operational protocols and ethical standards. It mandates the creation of a volunteer training and certification program and establishes a national volunteer registry under the Office of Civil Defense.
Additionally, the law provides medical support and insurance coverage, including PhilHealth benefits, for responders injured while on duty. It directs government agencies and local government units to promote disaster preparedness and encourage responsible civic participation.
Reviving Bayanihan Spirit Through Legislation
Poe highlighted that ordinary citizens often act as first responders in emergencies. “We must do everything to support them—not just in words, but in law,” he said. If passed, the Good Samaritan Law will institutionalize protections for these unsung heroes and foster a culture of preparedness, resilience, and solidarity in a disaster-prone nation.
For more news and updates on FPJ Panday Bayanihan, visit Filipinokami.com.
