IN CELEBRATION of his 56th birthday, former San Simon mayor Rodrigo "Digos" Canlas on Friday, August 24, provided assistance to thousands of Simonian tricycle drivers who were also affected by flooding.
Almost 2,000 tricycle drivers from different tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODA) in the town benefited from the outreach activity held at the Canlas' family business G24 Tire Supply and Merchandise in Barangay San Pablo Propio.
Canlas said it has been an annual tradition for him to celebrate his natal day with Simonians whom he also described as his family after serving them for more than a decade as an elected official.
"I am doing this every year, not only during my birthday but also even during the birthdays of my children and grandchildren. Instead of eating at pricey restaurants, we would just share the blessings that we receive to more needy Simonians," he said.
Included in the gift packs prepared by Canlas and his family for TODA members were food meals, t-shirts and cash grants.
"This is our way of sharing a lighter moment with Simonians who have become my family and have continuously supported me through all my endeavors," Canlas said.
However, Canlas clarified that while his actual birth date is December 5, all his official records state that he was born on August 22 since his mother registered his birth later due to financial constraints.
Meanwhile, Canlas' birthday celebration also coincided in the local government's relief operation to TODA members whose livelihood was affected by flooding.
Mayor Leonora Wong led the distribution of 2,000 relief packs which contained rice, canned goods and instant coffee.
"Most of the tricycle drivers cannot provide for their families since their tricycles cannot pass by the floods on the road. So the local government provided even a little aid through these relief packs," she said.
Ernesto Anicete, a member of San Matias-Crossing-Libutad-TODA, expressed his gratitude for the "double blessings" they received from Canlas and the local government.
