STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur, Dec. 28 (PIA) - The Sta. Lucia Municipal Police Station (MPS), along with volunteers and various stakeholders, turned over a fully furnished housing unit to 87-year-old Nanay Pacita Almazan, who suffers from blindness and poor hearing, as an early Christmas gift.

Nanay Pacita lives with her 61-year-old son, Edilberto, who suffers from goiter, in barangay Bao-as, Sta. Lucia town.

"Sobra ang saya naming mag-ina ngayon at malaking bagay ito sa amin, kung wala ang mga tumulong sa amin, walang maipatatayong bago at mas komportableng bahay para sa amin," a teary-eyed Edilberto said.

In an interview, Sta. Lucia MPS Officer-In-Charge Police Major Rodel C. Del Castillo said that due to their age and sickness, both of the recipients are not capable of working.

He said that they were selected as the first recipient of Project Bayanihan: "Bagong Tahanan Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa" (New House for New Hope) as they struggle to survive everyday especially with the challenges of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Project Bayanihan is attributed with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Good Deeds Program and in line with the regional objectives of Regional Director Police Brigadier General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. which is the Malasakit+Kaayusan+Kapayapaan=Kaunlaran and the Triple IMPACT - Community Service, Consistency, Contribution Program of Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Wilson Doromal.

Police Major Del Castillo said that when their police personnel visited Nanay Pacita for the first time, they were shocked to witness how hard it was for the both of them to live every day in a shabby and uncomfortable nipa hut without electricity, chairs and dining tables, and decent kitchenware.

Photo of Nanay Pacita Almazan's house before it was reconstructed. (Photo by Sta. Lucia Municipal Police Station)

"Our personnel visited them at night and they even had to use the flashlight of their mobile phones to provide lighting because Nanay Pacita and Edilberto didn't even have candles to use," he added.

Through the monetary contributions of each personnel of Sta. Lucia MPS, with assistance from the local government unit and from various volunteers and stakeholders, the construction of the 4 x 5-meter concrete house started on November 30 and was turned over on December 22.

Aside from the fully furnished housing unit, Nanay Pacita was also given grocery items, two sacks of rice, kitchenware, dining table, chairs, and beddings.

The fully furnished new concrete house of Nanay Pacita Almazan and her son, Edilberto. (Photo by Sta. Lucia Municipal Police Station)

Police Major Del Castillo added that with the sickness of Edilberto, some donors have shown interest to help him with the operation of his goiter for him to be able to work and provide the needs of their family.

"Isa rin yan sa mga pinost namin sa social media at nagagalak kami at may mga grupo na nagbigay interest at gustong tumulong sa pagpapa-opera sa goiter ni Edilberto at alam din namin na marami pang gustong tumulong para makapagtrabaho na siya ulit at makatulong sa kaniyang nanay," he said.

He likewise expressed their gratitude to all donors and stakeholders for making the project possible and assured that the PNP is always there to serve and protect the welfare of the Filipino people.

"Our police station is open 24/7. Kung may mga problema sa ating barangay o mga 'di kanais-nais na pangyayari, 'wag sana kayong matakot na lumapit sa aming istasyon kasi andito lamang kami na tutulong sa inyo upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa ating bayan," he said. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)