The Manila City Government has allocated more than P16 million for 13 child patients who will undergo life-saving operations here and abroad, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced on Friday, Feb. 20.

According to Domagoso, the beneficiaries include eight children scheduled for liver transplants in India, four who will undergo heart operations at the Philippine Heart Center, and one patient set for surgery for a chronic kidney condition at Chinese General Hospital.

The city government allocated P13,321,629.80 for the eight liver transplant cases, P3,323,311.50 for the four heart operations, and P173,616.19 for the kidney procedure, bringing the total assistance to P16,818,557.49.

“Pagkatapos nito, una, magpasalamat kayo sa Diyos, ha? Magsimba kayo. Tapos, kung ’di man kalabisan, magpasalamat din kayo sa taxpayer ng Manila. Dahil sa kanila, nagagawa namin ’to. We’ll do our best, bagama’t gipit na gipit kami bilang siyudad. Kaya lamang, buhay ng mga anak niyo ’yung nakasalalay (After this, first, thank God, okay? Go to church. Then, if it’s not too much, also thank the taxpayers of Manila. Because of them, we can do this. We’ll do our best, even though we are in dire straits as a city. After all, the lives of your children depend on it)," the mayor said.

“So as you can see, your checks will be deposited sa India, sa Heart Center, sa Chinese General para sa mga anak ninyo. But, I want you to have a copy of it. Picturan niyo na, para may proof of payment kayo ng City Government of Manila (So as you can see, your checks will be deposited in India, in the Heart Center, and in the Chinese General for your children. But, I want you to have a copy of it. Take a picture, so you have proof of payment from the City Government of Manila)," he added, urging the families of patients to allocate their personal savings for post-operation needs.

Domagoso gave assurance to the beneficiaries that the city government and the taxpayers of Manila would continue to support them in their journey toward recovery.

“Ang susunod niyong kakailanganin, si Jesus na. ’Yung pinakamalaki niyong problema sa lupa — which is pera — ay sinagot na ng taxpayer of Manila. Magdasal kayo na maging ligtas ’yung transplant, ’yung operation ng mga anak at apo ninyo. May awa ang Diyos, ’wag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa (The next thing you need is Jesus. Your biggest problem on earth — which is money — has been answered by the taxpayers of Manila. Pray that the transplant, the operation of your children and grandchildren, will be safe. God has mercy, don't lose hope)," the mayor noted.