DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte visited children at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City on December 29, 2019. This, as Duterte’s tradition to a sector close to his heart, the children cancer patients.
In 2007, Duterte bequeathed his own house at Margarita Village so that children can use them, thus, a shelter called House of Hope was established as temporary home for children with cancer which include the care of abandoned children with cancer.
“He seemed to be bracing himself and mustering for strength and courage. But when a child took his hand in the traditional Filipino “mano po”, his emotions shifted and transformed like a superhero — IronMan, Superman, Kapitan Kidlat,” Dr. Mae Dolendo, House of Hope program director, said in a Facebook post stated.
Dolendo said the President was cheerfully talking to each kid like he has all the time in the world, giving kisses and joking with cancer patients. The shelter is the heart of Duterte’s support for children with cancer as it provides a clean and healthy environment among children with cancer. It is aimed at bringing hope, promoting better survival rates and achieving an excellent and holistic care for children with cancer.
Senator Bong Go said that it has been a Christmas tradition for Mr. Duterte, who started giving gifts to children with cancer when he was still Davao City’s mayor. “Malapit sa puso niya yung mga cancer patients. Binigay niya ang sarili niyang bahay diyan sa Second District at Margarita Village para po gamitin ng mga bata,” said Go.
The President has also increased the budget for cancer patients admitted in various hospitals saying they need government intervention and support.
