The Office of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano brought assistance to over a thousand residents of various provinces in Mindanao in the Bayanihan Caravan in Maguindanao del Norte held on October 3 to 4, 2023.
The senator’s office partnered with Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat of the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat and the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) to organize a two-day medical caravan with a hospital desk.
The desk catered to a total of 707 patients battling critical health conditions like chronic kidney disease, cancer, pregnancy and childbirth, orthopedic issues, and heart disease.
The beneficiaries hailed from towns in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato.
Among the beneficiaries was Elaine Montañer, whose husband, an overseas Filipino worker, had to return to the Philippines for cancer treatment. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Cayetano for the assistance they received for their mounting hospital bills.
“Humingi po ako ng tulong para sa asawa kong OFW na umuwi dahil sa sakit, naoperahan po dahil sa cancer at na-carry ni Senator Alan ang naiwan na 283,000 pesos sa aming hospital bill. Maraming salamat po sa malaking tulong na naibigay ni’yo sa amin,” she said.
On October 4, the Bayanihan Caravan took an additional step to support more individuals in need, benefiting 525 recipients from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Cayetano’s aid was made possible through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat thanked the senator for extending his Tulong-Medikal Program and AICS assistance to the underprivileged in the region.
“Gusto ko na personal na magpasalamat ako dahil sa medical at cash assistance na ibinigay po nila sa atin. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The activity in Mindanao is part of the independent senator’s commitment to working hand in hand with government agencies and local government units to reach more communities across the country and extend relevant forms of support through his Bayanihan Caravan project.
On the Senate floor, Senator Cayetano continues to champion the provision of quality health services and livelihood support through bills such as the Puhunan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Act, Barangay Health Centers Act, and the Mahal Ko, Barangay Health Worker Ko Law.
