A FAMILY from Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog thanked Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for the financial help extended to them for the successful open-heart surgery of their three-year-old son who had a congenital heart disease.
Joemar and Irene Gariel together with their son, Joerenz, personally thanked the governor at the Provincial Capitol Monday, May 7, for the help extended to them that saved their son's life following the successful heart operation on April 19.
Joerenz underwent a six-hour open heart surgery at the Philippine Heart Center last month through a financial assistance from the Provincial Government.
According to Joerenz's father, the cost of the operation was almost P700,000 but they had a zero-bill upon discharge from the hospital with the help of Philhealth aside from the assistance from the province.
Joerenz was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when he was only two months old and was advised an immediate operation.
When they learned about it, they did fund-raising activities, that it was not enough so they sought the help of Marañon.
Congenital heart disease is defined as a malformation of the heart, aorta, or other large blood vessels that is the most frequent form of major birth defect in newborns.
"We are so thankful to Gov. Marañon for the help extended to us that saved Joerenz, who will be living a normal life from now on," said Irene. (PR)