MABALACAT CITY -- The Mount Arayat Shriners Club belonging to the Freemasonry fraternal organization in Pampanga has bared a medical program for crippled and burned children.
This was learned from the Shriners' president, lawyer Francis Dimaliwat, when the group donated 10 wheelchairs to physically challenged kids in this city recently.
Aside from the wheelchair program, Dimaliwat said the organization provides free medical assistance to children below 18 years old.
The shrine club, he added, has tied up with the St. Raphael Foundation Medical Center to support kids with special medical conditions.
"Atin ke pung allotted budget St. Raph, kareng mesilab king kalan, mesilab bale, mepali kayu (We have an allotted budget for St. Raph burned patients), all-expense paid through Dr. Rey Mandigal, who is the medical director of the said club," he said.
Retired Police Colonel Nicanor S. Targa, past president of the Shriners Club, said the city social welfare and development office has identified 10 children with disabilities as recipients of the wheelchairs.
Members of the Freemasonry in Pampanga banded together and organized the Mount Arayat Shrine Club Chapter under the Mabuhay Main Shrine Temple of the Philippines and the Shriners International, according to Dimaliwat.
The club received its charter on November 14, 2015 in Dumaguete City.
Mayor Crisostomo Garbo thanked the group for the medical program for the kids.
He also assured that the City Government under his leadership is committed to provide quality services to its constituents.