Thousands of people thronged to various areas in Manila such as Quiapo, Quezon Boulevard and Liwasang Bonifacio to avail themselves of health care provided by the Iglesia ni Cristo’s medical mission. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Matikas Santos
MANILA, Philippines – One person died from a motorcycle accident near the Liwasang Bonifacio (formerly Plaza Lawton) in Manila Monday as the Iglesia Ni Cristo conducted its medical mission for thousands of people in several places in the city.
According to Cesar Santiago Garcia, team leader of volunteer first aid group Rescue 520, a motorcycle rider died when a blunt instrument pierced through the victim’s collar bone after getting involved in an accident.
Members of the first aid group responded to the accident and were shocked to find the rider dead.
Garcia however gave no details about the accident, saying their job was limited to providing first aid and not conducting investigations.
He said that they also recorded 10 patients who experienced dizziness, fainting, dehydration from waiting for long hours under the heat.
The line of people waiting to receive “goodwill bags” stretched for hundreds of meters in the Liwasang Bonifacio in front of the Philippine Postal Office.
On Claro M. Recto Avenue where a separate stage and line for goods was set up, many parents who lost their children or their elderly flocked to the first aid tent.
“There are a lot of missing children and elderly,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) volunteer superintendent Romeo Rillo said.
Many needed medical attention because of dizziness caused by the heat.
He however could not say how many persons needed medical assistance because he was not able to list them all.
“They felt dizzy from the heat; some had not yet eaten,” he said.
Ian Lomboy of Tutelar Rescue and Emergency Response Volunteers Inc. also stationed along Recto Avenue said they recorded one incident of head injury when the patient was hit by an object thrown in the air.
Their official list included 28 patients who experienced dizziness, difficulty of breathing, and fainting.
Lomboy however said there were about 40 patients.
“There are a lot more who we were unable to list down because of the deluge of patients,” he said.