‘LAB virus’ for a cause Helping cancer-stricken PNP personnel
THEY always say that behind every successful man, there is a woman and that is definitely true in the Philippine National Police where wives of top officials have gathered to spread the so-called ‘LAB Virus’ which is short for Love And Blessings in the 232,—strong national police force.
The group has for its top adviser Mrs. Mary Rose P. Marbil, the Batangueña wife of PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil. Its president is Mrs. Leilani S. Alba, the wife of PNP Director for Police-Community Relations, Major Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.
Unknown to many, members of the group are fully supporting their husbands’ efforts to help the poor and needy members of the force without really spending government money, PNP funds in particular.
The Foundation since its creation last July 31 has managed to get help from many Good Samaritans as they do their best to help, especially cancer-stricken PNP personnel.
“There was this anonymous donor who gave P1.5 million to us. Sabi niya, nung araw me malubhang sakit ang kapatid ko and he always need blood transfusion. Ang sabi niya, ang tumutulong sa kanila noon ay mga pulis kaya ngayon nag-donate siya sa Foundation. So it’s really easier for us to move around in terms of doing charity within and raising funds,” Mrs. Marbil said.
She revealed that their latest count shows that there are close to 300 PNP uniformed personnel who have been stricken with cancer, some of them already in the very difficult stage.
“How much can we give them? I think the most is P25,000 each. However, we were told that what is important to them (cancer patients) is that finally, napapansin sila ng PNP officials and their Ladies of course,” Mrs. Marbil said.
She said that they have also realized that no matter how small the amount given is, sick cops feel much better. “Pag napansin pala ang mga pulis, tuwang-tuwa sila. There was this case of a policewoman with breast cancer sa Iloilo na umiyak ng husto, she was very emotional ng mapuntahan namin at sabi niya, first time na napapansin sila, na pinuntahan sila.”
Another patient with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel was also deeply touched after seeing the General’s wives on her bedside. “Simple things really mean a lot. Kahit P20,000 or P25,000, malaki na para sa kanila yun, we were told,” said the PNP chief’s wife.
So far, members of the Foundation have already visited more or less 160 of their beneficiaries from Regions 1,4-B, 6,7, 9, the National Capital Region Police Office and the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame.
The PNP-HS gives to the PNP OLC Foundation the names of the beneficiaries who also receive health kits from the Health Service apart from the cash assistance from the Ladies club.
Mrs. Alba said their over 400 members nationwide have been doing their own share to cascade the projects and initiatives of the Foundation.
She said that an amount of P3.9 million has been allocated for about 189 more beneficiaries of the Foundation starting January next year, thanks to the guidance of Mrs. Marbil whom she and fellow Foundation officer, Mrs. Mayette Chinayog, wife of PNP Director for Personnel and Records Management, incoming Major Gen. Constancio T. Chinayog Jr., described as ‘feisty and determined.’
Mrs. Alba said they are also busy initiating forums and symposiums on mental health, financial literacy, and marriage enrichment as part of their programs to help uplift the lives of members of the police force.
The Foundation was able to raise P5.2 million as a result of the Singing Cops of the Philippines’ program participated in by all 17 police regional offices this year. Another P1 million was also raised by the group as a result of their Harmony for Heroes concert for a cause featuring famous singer Dulce and other artists at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City.
