NEW WHEELCHAIR. Larry Baulite who could hardly walk on his own due to a kidney problem was elated by the gift of the city government through Mayor Angelo Montilla (right) in Tacurong City on Wednesday (Dec. 2, 2020). Baulite, together with 12 other persons with disabilities that included senior citizens, had received wheelchairs and financial aid from the local government. (Photo courtesy of Tacurong CIO)
COTABATO CITY – A 42-year-old differently-abled person in Tacurong City could hardly find words to describe how happy he was for receiving a wheelchair and cash aid from the local government unit (LGU).
“Never in my dream that one day Mayor (Angelo) Montilla will come over to grant me this gift,” said Larry Baulite, of Barangay Upper Katungal, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, in the vernacular between sobs on Wednesday afternoon.
Baulite, who is fighting chronic kidney disease, received a wheelchair courtesy of the city government of Tacurong through Mayor Angelo Montilla.
Baulite told Montilla that he has not undergone a single dialysis cycle due to lack of money.
This prompted the mayor to shell out some funds out of his own pocket for the initial dialysis of Baulite.
He was one of the 12 persons with disabilities, 10 of whom were senior citizens and two were children with special needs, who received food packs, wheelchairs, and financial aid from the city government.
They were residents of Barangays New Isabela, Upper Katungal, Lancheta, Baras, Rajah Muda, and New Passi.
“As long as there PWDs who need help, the city government will not stop from extending help in whatever way it can,” Montilla said.
To date, a total of 50 wheelchairs have been turned over to 50 recipients in 20 villages of Tacurong City.
Some 36 more wheelchairs are to be distributed within the month, the mayor said. (PNA)
