2,000 VSMMC patients get help from Senators Pia, Alan Peter

CEBU, Philippines -  The nearly 2,000 patients that are confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center have received assistance from the office of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Yesterday, the senator’s office gave medicines to the patients.

Dr. Nerito “Rey” Martinez, DM, PH.D, a staff of Senator Cayetano’s office and organizer of the Compañero Cayetano Tavang Volunteer has been facilitating the program for one year now. Martinez said those who requested for assistance were given medical referrals.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama thanked the senator since some of the patients who have availed of assistance from the senator come from Cebu City.

Dr. Marlo Maamo, a former mayor of Liloan town and now the chairman of the medical program of the Compañero Cayetano Tavang Volunteers in Cebu City North District also expressed his thanks because some of the residents in the city benefit from the program.

Also grateful are Tuburan town Mayor Aljun Diamante, Hilongos Mayor Jose Emery Roble, and Senior Provincial Board Member Carlo Loreto of Leyte province.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, have signed a memorandum of agreement with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The money deposited by both senators at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is for indigent residents in Cebu province and neighboring provinces.

Unlike other medical assistance programs from other offices, the Office of Cayetano prioritizes patients at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Aside from barangay captains, councilors, municipal and city mayors, governors, medical referrals are also given to parish priests with the aim of bringing the program to the grassroots.

“Gusto man gud nato nga walay pilion sa makapahimulos sa maong programa ilabi na gayud sa atong mga kabus nga ma-admit sa Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center,” Martinez said.

Martinez, who organized the Compañero Cayetano Tavang Volunteer, said the program was implemented with the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano.

The funds are used for the purchase of medicines for patients and now patients can use this in paying their hospital bills. – (FREEMAN)