LUNA, Apayao – The provincial government extended help to a young man from Kabugao municipality who has been hospitalized for more than a month.
Reyvin Bonggay, a college freshman at Apayao State College, Conner Campus has been suffering from difficulty walking since March 2023. His mother, during an interview, said Reyvin met a vehicular accident last 2021, which she believes to be the cause of his walking difficulties.
Last April 2023, Reyvin could no longer walk alone. As his situation was getting worse, the family was compelled to bring Reyvin to Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center (FNLGHTC).
After he was diagnosed by the doctor who examined him, he was advised to be brought to Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte for surgery. On further evaluation, Reyvin’s spinal cord has been damaged due to the vehicular accident in 2021 which needed immediate procedures or else he would be unable to walk permanently. Without considering the cost of the operation, the mother signed the consent allowing the doctors to operate on Reyvin.
The mother Yolly Bonggay has been serving in the provincial government for years as a utility worker. After her son’s successful operation, and days of gradual recovery, the medical bills was released amounting to more or less PhP 600,000.
She confidently approached both the offices of Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang and Provincial Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. and asked for help. Through the generosity of these leaders, the financial burden was shouldered.
PhP 200,000 thousand pesos came from the provincial government, PhP 357,000 was from Malasakit fund, PhP 25,000 was given by PCSO San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, and the other financial aids came from the contribution of particular General Services Office employees through a donation box,” testified Mrs. Bonggay.
She further added that “dakkel nga tulong iti naited iti probinsya kadakami, kangrunaan ti anak mi nga naopera. Nu awan da Cong. Leah Bulut-Begtang ken Gov. Elias Bulut, saan ko ammo nu kasano kami makabayad iti nagdakkel nga hospital bills mi.”
Reyvin, on the other hand, was discharged from MMMHMC last June 14,2023 and is currently recovering at their house in Kabugao.
Indeed, ‘it takes a big heart to extend ones hand.’ As the beloved Congresswoman and Governor always emphasizes, “aramiden mi amin nga kabaelan mi tapno maiparikna mi ti ayat mi kadakayu, patpatgen mi nga Yapayaos, agtitinnulong tayo.” By Jomela Dela Torre
