Home, sweet home.
It took about a 20-hour ride for the two recovered mental health patients to be reintegrated with their families after their medical treatment at the Metro Psych Facility in Pasig City, shouldered by Angeles City Government.
Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., thru his Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas in coordination with Consultant to the Mayor Rudy Simeon and Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), bring home the two recovered mental health patients to their families in Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao, respectively.
Its easy to believe that the stigma about mental issues have been changed through the years — but the truth is, its one of the unrecognized healthcare in the society.
The much-needed help and support to this sector did not spare the eyes of Mayor Lazatin.
In his number one priority program, is the health and welfare of every Angeleños — including the assistance to patients who have mental and psychological challenges.
“The families of the recovered patients, as well as the Local Government Units (LGUs) staff expressed their gratitude to the Angeles City Government, to our Mayor Lazatin, for extending its helping hand kahit hindi po sila residente ng siyudad,” John Humphrey Dayrit, ACDRRMO Operations Warning Division Chief, who personally turned over the recovered patients to their respective families and LGU representatives said.
Dayrit, who was joined by ACDRRMO staff Rennald Pangilinan and Ferdinand Muldong during the turn over, shared it was one of the sweetest reunion he had witnessed — nothing can defeat a heart that is full of hope.
From the twenty individuals with mental health issues rescued by the city government, six individuals were already treated in the Metro Psych Facility in Pasig City, after the city government shouldered the monthly payment for their health services and treatment at the Metro Psych Facility.
Lazatin allotted P4 million, under the Gender and Development (GAD) fund, for the Integrated Mental Health Services for Persons with Mental and Psychological Challenges to give assistance to patients for their medical treatment.
The city government is always assisting them to be home with their families once recovered from mental health illnesses.
The continuous rescue operations to homeless and mentally-challenged individuals is constantly supervised by Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas.
She is in coordination with Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary (ACTA), Gender and Development (GAD) Office, led by Mina Cabiles, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), headed by Joy Duaso, personnel from ACDRRMO, Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), and Angeles City Barangay Outreach to clear the streets from homeless people.
Lazatin vowed that he will continue to prioritize the healthcare of his constituents, especially during these trying times.
Home, sweet hope