A GRAND medical and dental mission for the benefit of Simonians held over the weekend marked the launching of a new non-government organization geared at providing assistance to the needy and the marginalized sector.
The Ing Sandigan (Simonians Aspiring for New and Developmental Initiatives for Governance, Alleviation and Nationalism) San Simon is an organization composed of Simonian members from various sectors of the society, including millennials, working groups and those fortunate who want to give back.
Enix Salvador, one of the founding members of the group, said that Ing Sandigan San Simon was formed through the common goal of Simonians to help and assist their deprived fellow Simonians.
“True to our organization’s name Sandigan (reliable), we aim to provide an alternative for the people and the community who do not get enough support from the government as we all know that the government is limited to their set of priority projects they deem most urgent,” he said.
For its pilot project, Salvador said the group, in coordination with Rotary Clubs in Metro Manila, Clark Development Corporation, Bridges and Benevolent Initiatives Foundation, and Nuestra Señora del Pilar (NSDP) parish pastoral council, organized a grand medical and dental mission which benefitted almost 2,000 young and old Simonians.
Salvador said the activity offered various services including free medical and dental check-ups, tooth extraction, take home medicines and even relief packs for those affected by flooding.
“This is just one of our many dream programs to help our fellow Simonians and our hometown. In the coming months, we hope to impart other beneficial projects to help alleviate poverty in the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rommel Bondoc, also one of the organization’s founding members, clarified that Ing Sandigan San Simon is designed not to compete with the local government, rather to help and support it implement developmental projects.
“Our organization is non-governmental and is designed parallel to the government in the hope that we will expedite the foreseen development in our beloved San Simon,” he said.
However, Bondoc clarified that the group will closely monitor the activities of the local government and will call out any dubious, substandard, or unnecessary projects made using taxpayers’ money.
NSDP parish priest Rev. Fr. Homer Policarpio, who also serves as founding member of the organization, stressed that Ing Sandigan San Simon’s launching is timely and relevant for the current needs the of Simonian community.
“I hope it will remain non-partisan to perfectly serve its purpose of honestly helping the Simonian community,” he said.