THE GENTLEMAN WITH A BIG HEART FOR THE POOR
This is how the sick, poor and destitute describe Presidential husband Jose Miguel Arroyo who had directly touched their lives since he became First Gentleman. Since 2001, the First Gentleman has spent much of his time pursuing various charity, sports development and other humanitarian projects.
Pursuing his welfare programs without much fanfare, the First Gentleman’s projects, in many dramatic instances, helped solved the problems of poor people in desperate situations.
Most of the beneficiaries of his generosity and kindheartedness are awed at how he instantaneously provided assistance to them and resolved their dilemma.
Many of them look at the First Gentleman as their only and last hope in their desperate need for help, mostly assistance for their serious medical problems.
Many also queue at the First Gentleman’s office for assistance in their medical needs -- medicines, laboratory and other needed diagnostic procedures – as well as for employment, livelihood, legal and other forms of assistance.
Various civic and religious institutions and groups likewise have received personal donations from the First Gentleman.
Seemingly tireless despite his bulk, the First Gentleman, truly a man for others, has indicated he is set to do more and accomplish more to sustain his projects even after 2010.
Among the on-going priority projects of the First Gentleman Foundations are:
1. Bagong Puso Galing sa Puso (OPEN HEART SURGERIES IN PGH)
2. Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan (62 poor but deserving medical scholars)
3. Bayong Espesyalista Para sa Bayan (20 barrio doctors on specialization scholarships)
4. Doctors to the Barrios (incentives given to DOH’s barrio doctors)
5. Bagong Ngiti sa Dating Ngebu (free dentures for the poor)
6. Bagong Bato, Bagong Buhay (kidney transplant for the poor)
7. Hydrocephalus and Meningocoele Mission
8. Puno ng Buhay (environmental concerns)
9. Sports Development
10. OYSTER Project (out-of-school youth assistance)
