“Uray awan tayo iti pwesto, mabalin tayo met latta makatulong”: Gumilab on ₱5M aid for 1,666 iKalingas

FEATURE

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Former Tinglayan Mayor Atty. Sacrament Gumilab continues to seek assistance for his fellow iKalingas although he has been out of public office for more than a year, helping secure ₱5 million in DSWD financial aid for students and other qualified beneficiaries in Tabuk City.

“Once a public servant, always a public servant. Uray awan tayo iti pwesto, mabalin tayo latta met nga makatulong iti kakailyan tayo,” Gumilab said in an interview with GURU Press Cordillera on October 15, during the second day of the distribution of assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program at Kalinga State University.

The assistance was secured through Gumilab’s initiative and coordination with the Office of Sen. Raffy Tulfo. The program provided ₱3,000 in cash assistance to each qualified beneficiary, with 1,666 beneficiaries reported in the distribution.

Gumilab said his desire to help residents has remained strong despite returning to private life after serving as mayor of Tinglayan for nine years.

“Sinmanay lang siguro kadatayo iti public service ta dati tayo met nga mayor iti Tinglayan for nine years. So, nu kasla agsardeng ka gapu iti private life, adda latta iti urge nga mapan ka iti tattao. Nu adda maitulong mo, eh di tumulong ka latta kasdiay,” he said.

For Gumilab, leaving office does not mean ending his responsibility to the community. He said he could not simply sit back when opportunities arise to help his fellow Kalinga residents.

He added that he intends to continue connecting with public officials and government agencies to bring programs and projects to the province, within his capacity as a private citizen.

The AICS program provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals and families experiencing crises. Depending on their assessed needs, assistance may cover medical expenses, food, transportation, education, burial and other essential needs.

The program is implemented by the DSWD, which works with government officials and other partners to help eligible beneficiaries access support.

Gumilab said he hopes to secure additional funding and expand the assistance to reach more students in Tabuk City and other parts of Kalinga.

He maintained that public service should not be limited to holding an elected position, expressing his commitment to continue helping his fellow iKalingas and contributing to the development of his home province.