A group of donors led by civic leader and eye surgeon Ars Lagasca Ngaosi-Mondiguing has donated on Nov. 16 100 50-pound tanks of oxygen complete with regulators to the city government of Baguio for its continuing fight against Covid-19.
Through the program, “Hangin Ko, Buhay Mo,” the group has called on donors and kindred souls to be part of its advocacy to help the government in its pandemic response.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who personally received the donated items, said the city has been overwhelmed with the effects of the pandemic, especially after the Delta variant was detected in the localities.
“At talagang nahirapan tayo. While it is true we invested sa stocks natin, kinulang pa rin tayo because of the sheer number of severe cases. We are more confident this time that we have more oxygen tanks,” Magalong said.
The city now has 350 tanks after the donation by Mondiguing’s group of 100 tanks, which would be brought to the Sto. Niño treatment facility for the meantime.
Mondiguing said the program is spearheaded by the Junior Chamber International Baguio Sunflower and has chosen Baguio as a pilot area for the donation drive since it is the referral center of major hospitals in the Cordillera that also cater to patients from all over north and central Luzon.
She also lauded the city’s response to the pandemic, even extending its help to neighboring municipalities and provin-ces.
Mondiguing, who runs the Baguio Eye Doctor’s Clinic at the Pueblo de Maria in Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital, said she partnered with other like-minded individuals and groups, such as the Apl.De.Ap Foundation International, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Lepanto High School Batch 1983, and Baguio Eye Laser Center Inc. for the donation drive.
Baguio girl Marianne Cathedral-King of the Apl.De.Ap Foundation and a former Chevron worker donated $300, which will be matched by Chevron with another $300 for the program. – Ofelia C. Empian
