The abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF did not hinder Valenzuela City Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian from helping those in need.
Gatchalian made sure that programs tending the needs of Valenzuelanos were continued in his district while filing 52 crucial measures in his first year as a member in House of Representatives.
“Just because we (congressmen) no longer have a PDAF, it does not mean we stop providing assistance and services to our people,” Gatchalian said.
“Legislators have to be creative in finding ways, like partnerships with private organizations, to sustain our programs,” the solon added.
Various projects such as WIN Tayo sa Kalusugan, WIN Tayo sa Edukasyon, WIN Tayo sa Kalinga, and WIN Tayo sa Kabuhayan, were the solon’s answer to his constituents’ concerns.
WIN Tayo sa Kalusugan
Gatchalian signed memorandum of understanding or MoU with hospitals such as the Philippine Band of Mercy and the Manila Doctors Hospital to help indigent patients in Valenzuela with their health concerns.
With these partnerships as well as coordination with 14 other hospitals, the former Valenzuela City mayor has helped patients with cleft lip, palate and clubfoot while assisting patients for healthcare services.
This includes the provision of family medicine; surgeries; ears, nose, and throat or ENT treatments; as well as internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology; and ophthalmology services.
At least 35 clubfoot, cleft lip and palate patients have been successfully provided their respective medical procedures and operations.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian’s district office has assisted hospitalization needs of 2,344 patients.
WIN Tayo sa Kabuhayan
The Valenzuela solon was also able to help sustain the small businesses of 46 Valenzuelanos through the Angat Kabuhayan project, which augments the small entrepreneurs’ capital for them to continue and improve their chosen trade.
Through job fairs organized by Gatchalian’s district office, 102 jobseekers have successfully landed jobs since the last quarter of 2013.
At the same time, Gatchalian was able to help 1,250 college students to continue their studies, helping 124 scholars to successfully graduate.
His scholarship program continues to provide financial assistance to students enrolled at the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, and Valenzuela Polytechnic.
Consequently, 782 families who have lost their loved ones were given burial assistance.
As his second year begins, Gatchalian is looking forward to creating new projects to extend more his help not only to his constituents but to even more citizens. (Camille Nepomuceno)
