By CHARITO ANSAGAY
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 9, 2014) – This November and December, schedules of medical missions are set with the Serbisyong Sarangan program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon with the strong support of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao and the board members.
These missions target cases such as minor cyst operation, cataract removal, installation of prostheses, and distribution of hearing aids and reading eyeglasses.
There are many true stories of Sarangans who are touched by the unwavering help of this program since it started years ago.
Let us meet Maria Elisa, Jocelyn, Reynante, Danilo, and Grace – five strangers, five lives bound by one inspiring story of hope.
MARIA ELISA Helia has a very special child. Her now 10-year old son was born with cerebral palsy – a congenital disorder that affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills. There is no cure for cerebral
palsy. What physical activities boys his age would normally take for granted, her son would require assistance. She has to feed, bathe, dress, and carry him. Therapy and special equipment are available to
improve the patient’s muscular strength and movement. For a family surviving on meager income, those remedies are like distant possibilities. But, a mother’s heart is unyielding. Maria Elisa never wavered in her faith that one day God will answer her prayers and bring relief for her growing son.
JOCELYN Jocelyn Tejada’s 18-year old daughter Angelie was inflicted with polio, a highly infectious viral disease that causes permanent paralysis. Jocelyn provides Angelie the physical assistance to move around the house and to accomplish chores. Her husband’s income from driving a tricycle is sufficient only for the family’s basic needs. A crutch is but a luxury. Jocelyn keeps praying for a miracle that would bring relief and lift her daughter’s deteriorating esteem.
Despite the difficulties of these faithful mothers, optimism remained that their bits of savings will eventually afford them to buy a native crutch (saklay) for their children. Good fate came upon them. The information about Serbisyong Sarangan program was widespread that reached remote villages. This time, Elisa and Jocelyn did not want to lose another chance for their children. With their little savings in hand for fare, they rushed and joined the long queue at the Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium. Both received a free wheelchair and earned knowledge on physical therapy from the sessions. Financial assistance amounting to P2,500 a year from the Gender and Development (GAD) fund of the province is provided to each indigent child with cerebral palsy to sustain their medical needs. Their prayers were granted.
“Nagpasalamat kami sa mga nagtabang sa amoa nga gihatagan nila mi ug pansin. Kay kinahanglan gyud namo nag dako. Bisan sa balay lang makatrabaho mi ug tarong kung naa silay butanganan. Para dili sila ug
higda, luoy man gud kaayo. Para pud namo sila madala sa school kay naga-eskwela mang gud ni sila. (I thank those who have helped us. We really need this. We can now do more as we already have this
wheelchair. I pity my son who had been spending most of his time lying. Now we can now bring him to school),” Maria Elisa said.
“Sangko sa langit akong pasalamat, naay mga programa nga ing-ani, salamat kang Gov (I am really thankful to God that there is this kind of program! Thanks to the Governor),” Jocelyn said.
A customized wheelchair for patients with special cases would cost around P23,000. This is the reason why the beneficiaries like Elisa and Jocelyn were very thankful for the blessing.
REYNANTE Astudillo is diabetic. He lives alone, away from family, and is jobless. He used to be a hardworking man before his leg was amputated. “Mahirap tanggapin na nangyari sa buhay ko ito (It is
difficult to accept my fate),” he narrated. Reynante longs for a second chance in life, but nobody believes he is still capable of working.
DANILO Bitol was a fisherman until tragedy struck that caused his leg to be severed and he lost his ability to walk. But, he refused to give in to hopelessness. He trusts that someday he will be given the chance
to do something worthwhile for himself, his family, and the community.
Both Reynante and Danilo admitted that there were times when they nearly succumb to depression and apathy. But they were among those who were given artificial legs or prostheses. They said they could
never afford a prosthesis that costs from P40,000 to P100,000. Now, their new legs fill them with the confidence to restart their lives.
“Salamat sa atong mga lider karon kay nay programa sa PWDs (Thanks to our leaders for creating a program for PWDs),” Danilo said.
GRACE Popa has a hearing problem. She felt discriminated even to get employment. “Sakit kaayo kay walay mudawat sa ako sa trabaho kay dili daw ko kadungog. Pati gani sa pamilya, wala ko gina-apil sa ilang
isturyahanay (It’s painful to hear that nobody gave me employment because I cannot hear. Even my family, they did not involve me in their conversation),” Grace uttered.
Grace exulted that she finally received hearing aid after a number of years. “Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga natagaan ko ug chance na matagaan ug hearing aid (I am so happy that I have been given a chance to get a
hearing aid),” she cried. Hearing aid costs around P16,000, and P80,000 to P100,000 per body aid. The aftercare hearing services are also periodically conducted to check if batteries, among others, are still functioning.
Apart from the outreach program, the provincial government organized for the first time the Sarangani Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Provincial Federation. The federation is hopeful that services will be
extended to the remote areas of the province. Gov. Solon pledged the support of the provincial government and urged the federation to come up with a holistic development plans and activities. He strongly believes that despite disabilities, PWDs can contribute to the community in many ways, they just have to be empowered.
Aside from wheelchairs and prostheses, clutches and walkers, hundreds of Sarangans also benefited from free prescriptive eyeglasses that cost from P1,500 to P5,000 each.
The Provincial Government of Sarangani extends its gratitude to the non-government organizations like Starkey Hearing Foundation, Physicians for Peace, Latter Day Saints Charity, Maharlika Charity
Foundation, Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation, Mahintana Foundation, and all other partners, for the millions of assistance and the untiring and invaluable partnerships.
“Let’s thank the Lord for giving us these partners helping us here in Sarangani,” Gov. Solon declared.
Many true stories to hear as Serbisyong Sarangan outreach program continues to hold its modest activities. (Charito Ansagay/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)
