Currimao Mayor Edward Quilala on Jan. 25, 2021 gives cash and household goods to a parent of a quadriplegic kid lying in a side car. (Rey Andres)
By Reynaldo E. Andres (Contributor)
CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte—At least six quadriplegic children of this town received on Jan. 25, 2021 a monthly stipend of PHP3,000 each, including a package of household and food supplies.
The package consisted of milk supplement, bed, pillows, electric fan, transistor radio and rice, among others.
Quadriplegics are those who cannot move their four limbs as a result of either diseases of various congenital abnormalities.
“Of this amount, PHP2,000 came from a donor who requested anonymity, while the PHP1,000 is a counterpart of our local government,” said Currimao mayor Edward Quilala, emphasizing that the compassionate donor is a native of Currimao, but is now living in the United States. The package of supplies was also provided by the local government here.
“These aren’t much, but at least we could somewhat ease their physical sufferings especially now that the whole world is under the threat of the Corona virus disease pandemic,” the teary-eyed mayor said as he handed the cash and the goods to the parents of the children in a simple ceremony held at the shaded west portion of the municipal hall.
He, too, challenged the representatives of various sectors in the town and province to have a part in this compassion activity.
“I hope this would become sustainable because a friend of mine in the province, who refused to be identified, also expressed willingness to help give cash allowances to these children,” he added.
Quilala said this activity is part of his administration’s priority programs as the town is now in the midst of embracing the new normal scheme of governance.
“In the past, we were giving emphasis and priority to senior citizens and indigents. However, we also want to give much attention to these quadriplegic children who cannot enjoy their childhood because of their present plight,” he added.
The mayor said the local government still continue to support the livelihood projects of indigents and provide education to their children. However, for this year, he started listing in the drawing boards the possibility of giving “pangkabuhayan” projects to the parents of the quadriplegics since they cannot work full time outside their homes because of their indispensable role for their kids.
Meanwhile, the gift-giving activity became the highlight of the town’s celebration of its first centennial founding anniversary that kicked off on January 21, 2021.
Currimao was established as a town by virtue of Executive Order No.59 by then Governor General Francis Burton on December 28, 1920. It was inaugurated on January 21, 1921 with the late Don Julian Aglipay first municipal president.