More than a hundred patients undergoing treatment at the Rizal Medical Center (RMC) were provided medical assistance by the Office of Senator Alan Peter “Compañero” S. Cayetano on May 10, 2023
The program, in collaboration with RMC’s Medical Center Chief II Dr. Maria Rica M. Lumague and RMC Chief of Medical Social Services Department Ms. Luningning Banocia, organized a medical caravan that set up a hospital desk to cater to patients battling cancer, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, eye disease, and childbirth complications.
Most of the patients, hailing from Taguig and Pasig, received help with their hospital bills, medicines, laboratory tests, and medical procedures. Among them was breast cancer patient “Reg,” who expressed gratitude to Senator Cayetano, Senator Pia, and Mayor Lani Cayetano for their assistance.
“Malaking tulong po ito na galing kay Senator Alan Cayetano, pati tulong nina Senator Pia at Mayor Lani Cayetano,” Reg said. “Simula nung naglalakad ako ng papel, sa kanila po ako lumalapit. Hanggang ngayon, sila pa rin ang gumagabay sa akin sa tulong medikal at pinansyal. Sila po ang laging nakaalalay sa akin.”
Pamela Calisar, who received medical help for her mother-in-law who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer, expressed her appreciation for the senator’s assistance in covering the laboratory fees.
“Kailangan niya na po kasi magpa CT scan para malaman kung mayroon pang colon cancer o wala na. Masyado na po kasing malaki ‘yung [hospital] bill kaya humingi po ako ng tulong kay Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Ito naman po, hindi ako nabigo. Buo pa ang binigay, salamat po!” she said.
Cayetano’s office has extended medical aid to thousands of patients across the country since October 2022. According to its official Facebook page, “Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano Tulong-Medikal,” the program will continue to set up medical desks in different hospitals nationwide to assist more Filipinos in need of medical assistance.
A veteran senator, Cayetano established the medical assistance program early in his public service career to help underprivileged Filipinos with their medical care and medications.
In his return to the Senate last year, he authored several health-related bills, including the Barangay Health Centers Act, Super Health Centers in All Cities and Municipalities, the Health Passport System Act, ang Mahal ko, Barangay Health Worker Ko Law, at ang Floating Hospitals Act.
