Marriage is a lifelong commitment that binds together two people through civil or religious ceremonies. Starting a family together and becoming parents, part of their responsibility is to nurture and provide not just for their children but also for each other’s needs. However, during tough times, the less privileged families are bound to struggle together, too. Which is why they are in much need of assistance and support through the government’s projects and programs.
Led by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under Governor Luigi Villafuerte, the Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program continuously conducts distribution of wheelchairs to its people. Last week, two elderly couples from the municipalities of Pili and Ocampo who received their assistive devices showed what marriage really is beyond the signed papers and recited vows.
“Kun sa pagsakripisyo, talagang grabe na an sakripisyo ko. Kundi sabi ngani, kun dai ka pa pwedeng kuanon kan mahal na Diyos, mayo na kitang magiginibo,” said Fe Bomanglag, 67 years old from Brgy. San Francisco, Ocampo. Her husband, Vicente Bomanglag, 64 years old, is one of the recipients of the wheelchair.
Before getting sick due to stroke, Vicente and Fe used to buy and sell Buyo as the primary source of income for their family. But after being hospitalized and with the costly medical treatments and medications he required, they went out of business forcing their two younger children to temporarily stop from going to school.
For 15 years, Fe, being the wife, has made the most sacrifice in taking care of his husband who lost the strength and ability to move and do daily activities independently. Over time, taking care of him alone has become more challenging and difficult because of her aging. While Fe remains thankful of their children for supporting their needs, the money they make is still only sufficient to support their own families’ basic necessities and not to afford a costly brand new and quality wheelchair for their father.
To bear away the financial burden from their family and to replace Vicente’s broken and timeworn wheelchair, as well as to aid Fe in assisting her husband especially during meal and bath time, the Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program has provided Vicente with a new and good quality wheelchair which will surely be of great help. “Gaba na an tukawan kan saiyang lumang wheelchair kaya pasalamat po kaming maray ta natawanan nin bagong wheelchair an agom ko ta pwede mi [na] siyang iluwas ta gusto niya man daa makahiling mga taong nag-aagi,” Fe said gratefully.
Fe and her family are more than grateful because apart from the wheelchair granted to Vicente, their two children were able to graduate through the Provincial Government’s scholarship program under the leadership of the late Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, Sr. She takes pride of their three children because after finishing college, they are now the ones providing for them especially for the needs of their sick father.
Another wheelchair recipient who is also a senior citizen is Danditha Tagum from Brgy. Bagong Sirang, Pili. Danditha got into an accident six years ago that caused her incapacity to walk. Since then, her husband Ramon Tagum, has been the only one taking care of her as their children are with their own families. In addition to the injured leg and her weakened body due to old age, she also suffers from diabetes, arthritis, and kidney complications which made her grow thinner and smaller than an average elderly woman.
Although they know that providing a wheelchair for Danditha will be easier for her elderly husband in attending to her needs, as well as for her fast recovery, buying a new wheelchair is close to impossible as their children are also struggling financially. With hopes of mobility and recovery, Danditha said, “Hinahangad ko man na makalakaw man lamang [giraray] ako asin maulian man lamang an bitis ko.”
The needs of Danditha reached the office of Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program and was promptly fulfilled. Upon receiving her newest wheelchair, Danditha gratefully expressed, “Dakulang tabang po ining wheelchair sako. Kaya nagpapasalamat po kaming maray sa Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program. Maraming salamat po sa tabang nindo samo.”
As married couples, despite of the overwhelming challenges that has come their way such as their partners falling ill and weakened bodies, financial incapacities, as well as their lack of employment, the two elderly Fe and Ramon proved the real meaning of their wedding vows, “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, ‘til death do us part.”
To aid all the Camarinenses, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur initiates projects and programs that cater to the various aspects and needs of its constituents. Among these priority programs is the Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program which grants its beneficiaries with medical assistance for hospitalization and medication, burial assistance, and awarding of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
