City of San Fernando—At least 1,717 indigent Kapampangans stricken with various kinds of cancer are being assisted by the administration of Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.
The governor expanded the health assistance program started in 2010 during the administration of then governor and now Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda.
Capitol covered the chemotherapy treatment through guarantee letters (GL) for 1,717 patients from July 2019 to early 2022 in hospitals with standing memorandum of agreements with the provincial government. The GLs alone amounted to over P21 million.
The provincial government has partnered with 29 hospitals in the province to support the cancer patients. Capitol also gave 933 patients around P15 million in financial assistance for chemotherapy treatment in other hospitals for the same period.
Capitol also provides burial assistance, medicines and other necessities. The governor’s family augments the funds.
“Inisip ko po dati, wala akong pag-asang gumaling. Pero ngayon ay nakakatayo na ako, dati, binubuhat lang ako ng anak kong namatay. Ngayon nakakatayo ako dahil sa pagpapagamot ng Pamilya Pineda sa akin,” cancer patient Jean Pineda from Santo Tomas town, said.
Aside from the usual government support, Gov. Pineda also extends financial support from his personal funds to Stage 3 and 4 cancer patients.
“Dahil sa pagmamalasakit ni Gov Delta sa mga katulad ko na may sakit at mahirap lamang, kaya po kami, pati ang pamilya ko ay buong pusong nagpapasalamat po kay Governor Delta,” Jean Pineda added.