Over 150 Bulakenyos benefit from PGB’s financial assistance, medical devices distribution

CITY OF MALOLOS – A total of 152 Bulakenyo fire victims and in need of assistive and medical devices expressed their gratitude to the Provincial Government of Bulacan as the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) rolled out its monthly distribution of emergency kits and financial assistance on Monday, April 6, at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city.

Rosalie Acebron, a 58-year-old fire victim from the City of Malolos, shared how the initiative will fuel her family’s recovery from the incident they experienced last January.

“Ang laking tulong po nito, kasi ‘yung mga nawala ko pong gamit, maaari ko pong mapalitan ulit sa ibibigay na tulong sa amin kahit papaano. Marami kasi akong nasunog na gamit gaya ng aparador namin, mga damit, washing machine, electric fan, mga unan, kumot,” she said.

On the other hand, 51-year-old Marissa Vasallo from Pulilan who requested for a wheelchair shared how this assistive device will be helpful for their family, especially for her blind mother who will benefit from using it.

“Nag-request po ako na makahingi ng wheelchair para po sa nanay ko. Bulag po kasi siya, hindi po siya nakakakita at hirap po na makalakad dahil sa kalagayan niya. May 20 years na rin po niyang iniinda ‘yung kapansanan niya,” Vasallo said.

“Napakalaking bagay po nito, kasi po dati nasa bahay lang siya. Ngayon kapag nagka-wheelchair siya, kahit papaano makakasama na siya sa amin kung saan man kami pumupunta,” she added.

Based on PSWDO’s data, there were a total of 115 fire victims who received 50 kilograms of rice, emergency and hygine kits, and cash assistance worth P5,000 (partially damaged) and P10,000 (totally damaged). Meanwhile, 37 Bulakenyos from across the province were given assistive and medical devices, including wheelchair, nebulizer, glucometer, stretcher, cane, fetal doppler, and height and weighing scale.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando led the distribution and expressed his sympathy to the recepients, particularly to those who lost their homes from fire.

“Ako po ay nakikidalamhati sa mga nangyari sa inyo. Next time po, maging mas mapagdoble ingat tayo lalo na kung iiwan natin ang ating mga tahanan, hindi rin naman po biro talaga ang magpagawa ngayon ng bahay. Pero higit diyan, ingatan po natin ang ating mga sarili, dahil ‘yung mga materyal na bagay, naipupundar, pero ang buhay na nadadamay, hindi na maibabalik,” he said.