LDS Charities Turns Over Wheelchairs to SOWs 

The core purpose of LDS Charities (LDSC) is to relieve the suffering of individuals and families, foster self-reliance, and provide opportunities for service. Guided by these objectives, 30 soldiers with disabilities (SOWs) will now be able to improve their mobility due to the assistive devices provided by LDSC.

In partnership with the Philippine General Hospital-Physicians for Peace, LDSC turned over wheelchairs, collapsible walking aids for the blind, and crutches to help soldiers with their mobility impairment. Many of the SOWs fought in the Marawi Seige and are still on active duty.

Held at the Auditorium of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Command (AFPHSC), LDS Charities’ project coordinator, George Kenneth Lee, attended the ceremonial turnover with other representatives from the Philippines Blind Union (PBU), Department of National Defense, Katipunan ng mga Kawal na may Kapansanan, Inc. (KKKI), Philippine General Hospital-Physicians for Peace (PGH-PFP), AFPHSC Rehabilitation, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers, enlisted personnel, the beneficiaries and their families.

The ceremonial turnover opened with welcome remarks from Brigadier General Edwin Leto Torrelavega, the AFP Commander of the AFPHSC in Quezon City.

“Today, the whole V. Luna family is once again grateful that partners who believe, and the contribution for our soldiers, are visiting us to make louder their support to the men and women in uniform,” he said.

“Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi na ang pagparito ng mga taong katulad ninyo, sir, na may busilak na layunin, na mag bigay-handog ay may malaking ambag sa misyon ng institution na ito. Sapagkat kami ay naninwala na bukod sa inyong magaling na doctor, bukod sa tamanang pag-inom ng gamut, bukod sa mga makabagong fasilidad, kami rin ay naniniwala na tuluyang pagaling ay makukuha sa mahabaging kalinga ng mga kamag-anak, kaibigan, mga kasamahan at mga mamamayang Pilipino na patuloy na naniniwala sa layunin ng Sandatahang Lakas.”

[I reiterate that visits from people like you who have pure intent have a great contribution to the mission of this institution. Because we believe that besides the best doctors, apart from proper medication and apart from modern facilities, we also believe that the ultimate recovery could be achieved through compassionate care of relatives, friends, colleagues, and the Filipino people who continue to believe in the purpose of the Armed Forces.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to all partners during the ceremonial turnover.

Corporal Renato Eucogco, Philippine Army, thanked the organizations that made the donations happen.

“Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities, PGH PFP at sa kay Sir Jacuba, kami po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat po sa inyong suporta na kami po ay mabigyan ng mga assistive device."

[To The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities, PGH-PFP and to Sir Jacuba, we’re sincerely grateful for your support for these assistive devices.]

Philippine Army officer 1st LT. Jerome Jacuba, who lost his eyesight permanently in Maguindanao in 2016, expressed his gratitude to the men and women who made the donations possible.

“Ako po ay natutuwa na kahit hindi po ko kayo nakikita ay alam ko po na tuwang-tuwa sa mga puso sa mga sundalong na nandito ngayon na nakatanggap po sila ng ganitong mga assistive devices…”

[I am pleased that even though I cannot see you all, I know that in their hearts, the soldiers are so happy to receive these assistive devices]

"When I became blind, that’s when I was able to see. I was able to see the hearts of people who are ready to help our soldiers who have disabilities," he said in Tagalog.

AFPHSC gave recognition to the different organizations that have helped the soldiers. BGen. Edwin Leo T. Torrelavega, AFP Commander,  awarded LDSC, PBU, KKKI, and PGH-PFP with Certificates of Appreciation for the help rendered to the injured and wounded soldiers.

Lee, in his special message, explained that LDSC is the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of its signature programs is wheelchair training and distribution. He added that wheelchair designs and functionality are regularly upgraded so they last long and are convenient to use. Lee then expressed gratitude to the sacrifices the soldiers have made for the country.