Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced the allocation of P17,444,576.75 to pay for the hospital expenses of 28 patients under the city's Kaagapay Program, which provides financial assistance for residents with critical and life-threatening conditions.

Domagoso, together with Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, personally handed out the checks for each beneficiary at the Manila City Hall on Tuesday, March 17.

"Sa ilalim ng Kaagapay Program, nakapagkaloob po tayo ng kabuuang P17.4 milyong medical assistance sa 28 na indibidwal upang makatulong sa kanilang gastusin sa pagpapagamot. Ikinagagalak po natin na sa pamamagitan ng Kaagapay, kahit papaano ay nababawasan ang bigat na pinapasan ng ating mga kababayan (Under the Kaagapay Program, we have provided a total of P17.4 million in medical assistance to 28 individuals to help with their medical expenses. We are happy that through Kaagapay, we're able to reduce the burden of our countrymen in terms of their hospital expenses)," the mayor said, reminding the beneficiaries to thank God and Manila taxpayers for the assistance.

"Patunay ito na ang buwis na ibinabayad ng mamamayan ay naibabalik sa pamamagitan ng kongkretong serbisyo at tulong na direktang napakikinabangan ng bawat Batang Maynila. Patuloy po nating pinahahaba ang ating kamay upang makapaghatid ng pag‑asa sa mga Batang Maynila sa oras ng pangangailangan (This is proof that the taxes paid by the people are returned through solid services and assistance that directly benefit every Batang Maynila. We continue to extend our hand to bring hope to them in their time of need)," he added.

The city government had recently disbursed P32.2 million to 20 child patients scheduled to undergo life-saving liver transplants in India last March 6.

It had also funded various medical treatments of Manileños, including pediatric liver transplants in India, heart surgeries at the Philippine Heart Center, and cochlear implant procedures.