Off The Beaten Path

Anti-graft group not losing its ‘steam’; follow up own cases at Ombudsman

SORSOGON CITY – The Sorsogon Crusade for Good Government (Cruzada-Sorsogon), an anti-graft organization formed by private citizens here and known for its advocacy to fight graft and corruption cases and other irregularities, is ‘very much alive’ contrary to talks allegedly circulated by its enemies, said Cruzada chairman Joesan Gabarda in an interview.

“We are working on the cases we filed at the Office of the Ombudsman involving high-profile officials in the province. We are confident that in the end, grafters will answer for their misdeeds,” Gabarda said.

He also said that Cruzada meet twice a month and its Board (Board of Directors) meet as often as it can be, contrary to rumors that it is ‘losing its steam’ circulated by public officials they sued at the Ombudsman.

Gabarda added that his group had already filed cases against the Department of Education where it involved key officials in the province, a case against incumbent governor Sally Lee and is following up the ‘Bolante’ case where former governor Raul R. Lee allegedly received an amount of P5 million and 2^nd district representative Jose G. Solis of P3 million, an amount intended for the farmers’ needs.

He, however, did not elaborate on said cases.

“Our group is very much aware of what is really happening in Sorsogon, and we also want the public to know the real score especially the local officials whom they put into office,” Gabarda said.

Fertilizer fund

In light of the on-going investigations in the Senate of the fertilizer fund scam, Gabarda said that ex-governor Lee has received P5 million intended for the farmers and said they are confident that there might be irregularities in the transaction with an agricultural supplies company and the distribution of fertilizers and or farm implements that is supposed to benefit the local farmers. They will probe further, he said.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jose G. Solis said in a press con held Saturday that the P3 million he received were given by him to Bulan town mayor Helen de Castro. But the mayor, however, denied it and said that if such allegations were really true, she would be very happy if indeed the congressman gave her the P3 million intended for the farmers so that she can really help her constituents particularly those engaged in farming.

Internal politics?

When asked if there’s a possibility that his organization is prone to politicking of its own members as reports of it were circulating in the province, Gabarda said that he is confident that all the officers and members were straight but admitted, however, that some of his members has political inclinations and vested interests.

“I know for a fact that there are some members who have personal interests in the organization and that’s the negative thing. Anyway, I hope that soon our cause will prevail,” He concluded.

Kidney patients in S’gon rising

By Roy Gersalia

SORSOGON CITY – For the brothers Ramon and Abraham Lleosala raising money for their food and transportation to get into this city is a thing to worry about. But don’t worry the food and other expenses they said, for they have a more pressing problem to worry about – that is to cover the expenses as they undergo hemodialysis therapy every week in a private hospital here.

Ramon and Abraham Lleosala, 27 and 24 years old respectively, are in their third month of therapy for their kidney disease at the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital (SSMGH), a private and the only hospital here which have hemodialysis equipment. They labored for money to get into this city from their barangay in Castilla town for their four-hour session at the hospital here.

Dr. Jose Emmanule Cabildo, Internal Medicine and Adult Nephrology specialist of the SSMGH here said kidney diseases are very high and alarming here, the causes of which are the complications in diabetes, hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis and family history among others. Cabildo said the Lleosala brothers have chronic glomerulonephritis and has a family history for the disease.

PATIENTS

SSMGH has a total of 42 patients undergoing hemodialysis including regular and transient patients. Cabildo said most number of patients comes from the town of Gubat and the youngest is a 17-year old teen.

For the previous months, 27 patients expired as they are not able to comply with the medical requirements such as undergoing weekly sessions or three times a week for those with severe cases.

CAUSES

Asked what caused this alarming case, Cabildo said it might be caused by the mineral content of water here in the province. He, however, did not elaborate. “The unhealthy lifestyle is one other factor,” he said.

THE HOSPITAL

When the hospital started their henodialysis center 11 months ago, most of the patients who are from this province said that it’s a relief for them, as they are forced before to go to Legazpi City for their treatment.

“About 70 percent of the patients who used to go to Legazpi city are now regular patients here,” Cabildo said.

The hospital has six equipment. Four for the hemodialysis patients and the other two is used only for those patients who contracted Hepatitis-B. Ms. Maricon Dones, Head Nurse, said that the four hemodialysis equipment are being used everyday, one for those scheduled in the morning and the other is for the afternoon session.

ASSISTANCE

Some 25 patients here have availed of the assistance given by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). It has allotted P10, 000 for patient who has availed of the said assistance.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Jocelyn Lelis, chairman committee on health, said that Governor Sally Lee is already looking for ways to have the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital with a hemodialysis equipment. “This would greatly help “Sorsoganons” with kidney disease to be treated at an affordable rate, Lelis said.

The Inquirer tried to contact Dr. Edgar Garcia, Provincial Health Office Director but unavailable.