In another successful Bayanihan Caravan of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, hundreds of beneficiaries in Cagayan de Oro City and neighboring areas received essential medical and livelihood assistance on November 29-30, 2023.
In partnership with the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP), Cayetano’s office organized two-day activities to disburse P2-million worth of medical assistance to 530 patients dealing with chronic kidney disease, orthopedic, hypertension, pregnancy/childbirth, cancer, heart, and respiratory diseases.
Coming from Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and other municipalities and cities in Misamis Oriental, the patients’ needs were catered to at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) through Medical Center Chief Dr. Jose Chan and Social Services and Development Head Yvonne Perez.
Battling a stage-5 chronic kidney disease, May Cabili, one of the beneficiaries, shared the immense challenges of managing her condition while caring for her two children. With the dialysis support that she received, she expressed her gratitude to Cayetano.
“Mahirap po talaga kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa tulong na ibinigay niyo sa amin. Sana po patuloy ang inyong pagtulong, especially sa aming dialysis patients. Malaking tulong po ang programa ninyo sa amin ngayon,” she said.
On Bonifacio Day, November 30, the spirit of bayanihan was evident as Cayetano’s team provided a livelihood assistance to 500 CDO small business owners in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (DSWD-AICS) and CDO City Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez.
This initiative seeks to enhance the livelihoods of these entrepreneurs, empowering them to generate additional income and sustain their families.
Among the beneficiaries was sari-sari store owner Lina Verano who said her income was not sufficient to cover rent, electricity bills, and her children’s education.
“Hindi pare-pareho ang kita, minsan OK, minsan hindi. Maraming salamat po Senator Alan sa tulong na natanggap ko ngayon,” she said.
Cayetano has been actively collaborating with various government agencies and local government units to reach marginalized communities across the country and offer essential aid to Filipinos in need.
Following his Bayanihan Caravan in CDO, Cayetano’s office will proceed to Baguio, Pampanga, and Palawan to extend assistance to communities in these provinces.
