Davao lawmaker's wish comes true: First cancer treatment center in South

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – It’s a dream come true for Davao de Norte Rep. Anthony del Rosario, who has emerged as the second top absentee at the Lower House, as the first-ever public cancer treatment facility in the South was inaugurated here yesterday.

Del Rosario, who is afflicted with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes, has attended only 25 out of 59 House sessions since July 2010.

Del Rosario had to fly to the United States to seek treatment for his disease which made him miss House sessions.

But Del Rosario told The STAR that before he went to the US, he sought an audience with President Aquino and told him about his plan of putting up a public cancer treatment center in Min­danao since it would entail huge expenses for those from the South to seek treatment in Manila.

Yesterday, Del Rosario’s dream came true with the inauguration of the first cancer treatment center at the Davao Regional Hospital in this city.

However, Aquino, who was instrumental in putting up the center as he was the one who approved the funding for its construction, was not able to fly here yesterday due to pending matters.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Rey Marfil hinted that it had something to do with the security preparations for the celebration of the Black Nazarene feast today.

Yesterday afternoon, Del Rosario was to exchange vows with his bride at the nearby Banana Beach Resort at the Hijo Plantation in Barangay Madaum here.