Ate Sarah Discaya vows more aide to single parents, kids with mental illness

MANILA, Philippines – Individuals with special concerns and needs require extra attention from their leaders, Pasig City mayoralty aspirant Cezarah Rowena “Ate Sarah” Discaya has said as she vowed to provide additional assistance to persons and families that need them.

Discaya said extra help should be given to people with special concerns, such as single parents and parents who have children with special needs, to help them cope with life’s challenges. 

“Life today is challenging. If regular families are already reeling from the high cost of basic commodities and expensive public services, we can just imagine how doubly hard it is for single parents who have to raise their children alone, and more so, for parents who have children with mental health conditions such as ADHD and autism,” Discaya said. 

All of Discaya’s four children have been diagnosed with ADHD. 

“Naiintindihan ko ang pakiramdam ng mga magulang ng mga batang may ADHD. Tulad nila, alam ko ang mga espesyal na pangangailangan ng kanilang mga anak. At alam ko rin kung gaano kamahal at kagastos ang mga therapies na kailangan ng mga bata upang masiguro na sila ay maayos at masigla,” Discaya said. 

Discaya committed that her administration will prioritize the provision of additional services to special sectors if she wins Pasig city’s mayoralty race. 

“Itutulak ko po ang pagbibigay ng karagdagang medical assistance para sa pangangailangan ng mga batang may mental health challenges. The medical needs of children with mental health concerns are expensive. Government should extend a helping hand to help these families to ensure the physical well-being of their children,” she said. 

She added that single parents should be granted extra benefits, such as bigger discounts for grocery and food items, basic commodities and social services, to help them cope with inflation. 

“Kasama rin sa aking priority programs ang pagibigay ng karagdagang ayuda para sa mga single parents na taga-Pasig,” she said. 

“Obligasyon ng mga local leaders na siguruhin na walang maiiwan sa laylayan ng kanilang lungsod. Samantalang pantay-pantay ang karapatan ng bawat mamamayan, alam naman natin na may karagdagang gastos at obligasyon ang mga magulang na mayroong mga anak na may mental illnesses, o ang mga single parents na solong tumutustos sa pangangailang pinansiyal ng kanilang mga anak,” Discaya said 

“Sa aking panunungkulan, ipinapangako ko na bibigyan ko ng karampatang atensyon ang mga pamilya na ngangailangan ng dagdag na atensyon ng city government. Ito ay isang commitment sa aking mga kababayan sa lungsod ng Pasig, lalo na sa ating mga single parents at iyong mayroong mga anak na may mental illnesses,” she added. 

“Kompyansa ako na sa aking karanasan, mas giginhawa ang buhay ng mga Pasigueno. My record can speak for itself. Walang pamumulitika, talagang sipag, takot sa Diyos at tiwala lang sa sarili ang aking sinandalan para umangat sa buha,” said Discaya.