EVEN if his left side remains paralyzed, 14-year-old shooting victim Mark Rey Abaño is determined to enroll in school this year.
In a phone interview the victim’s aunt Marie Ann Abejo said Mark Rey wanted to enroll and continue his studies next month. But Abejo said they have yet to find the money to pay for the hospital bills.
She said the family still has to receive any financial aid from City Hall. Abejo said Pasil Barangay Hall advised her to receive the P10,000 financial aid today.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said they have yet to determine the amount of assistance to be given to Mark Rey, who’s confined at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
“We cannot yet quantify therefore since we are still coordinating with CCMC on the final expenses,” said Rama in a phone interview with Cebu Daily News.
Rama said he’s pleased to know that the office of Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district is processing a P25,000 financial assistance for the victim.
The regional Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) gave P5,000 to the victim’s grandmother. While City Hall’s Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) will allocate P3,000 to the victim’s family.
Annie Suico, social worker of DSWS, said they will also donate a wheelchair to Mark Rey once they receive it from their national office.
Suico said Mark Rey’s hospital bills have run up to more than P20,000.
But she said the hospital expenses won’t be a problem since there are many people willing to help out.
Canned goods and rice were also donated by the DSWS to the victim’s family.
Suico said they will coordinate with the city office of the Department of Education to learn what special programs would be undertaken on Mark Rey. /Tweeny M. Malinao, Correspondent with Reporter Rhea Ruth V. Rosell