BRIAN Poe Llamanzares, the first nominee of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan partylist, has been awarded the International Golden Seal of Merit and Excellence Award (IGSMEA) for his dedicated leadership in community service and efforts to achieve community empowerment.
As part of the award, donations were made in Poe’s name to two organizations: the Josefheim Foundation, which shelters and cares for the poor and elderly, and the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development Haus (C.H.I.L.D Haus) in Paco, Manila, a temporary home for children fighting cancer.
Poe, known for his advocacy work supporting grandparents, children, and those in need of special assistance, including Filipinos suffering from chronic diseases, expressed his commitment to continuing this work.
“FPJ Panday Bayanihan, are one with you in supporting your advocacy of pushing to do more for cancer awareness, treatment and prevention for all Filipinos. Let’s continue working together to fight the Big C,”Poe said.
The Josefheim Foundation, located in Sitio Labong, Bugarin, Halayhayin, Pililla, Rizal, provides shelter to the poor, sick, and elderly. The organization’s work is particularly crucial given that, according to a survey by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, roughly 57% of the nine million elderly Filipinos do not receive enough pensions or income.
C.H.I.L.D Haus, the first and only temporary home for children with cancer undergoing treatment in the Philippines, is a seven-story multi-purpose complex that can accommodate up to 800 residents.
Cancer remains a significant health concern worldwide, affecting approximately 300,000 children aged 0-19 years annually. In the Philippines, at least 5,000 Filipino children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and almost two-thirds of them have advanced-stage cancer.
A previous study by the Philippine Cancer Society estimates that over 80 percent of Filipino families cannot afford to fund basic medical care out of their own pockets.
The IGSMEA expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to support these organizations, stating that this unique collaboration reflects their desire to significantly improve the lives of underprivileged children and families.
Poe’s dedication to community service was also recognized last September when he was honored as one of the “Men of Exemplary Influence” by the Philippine Cancer Society, INC.
