DAU, Mabalacat City — Following their father’s footsteps, Councilor Timothy Paul “Timmy” Dee and brother and incumbent Barangay Captain here Derrick Dee have laid out a medical program that benefits their constituencies.
The sons of the late businessman Anthony Dee who once built a hospital in the boundaries of Mabalacat and Magalang town, the siblings have put up a pharmacy and medical supply for the people of the northernmost Pampanga town. It is known as the Anthony Dee Memorial Pharmacy which gives out free medicines to thousands.
The Dee patriarch had been known for his philanthropic deeds when he was alive.
As brothers, they have also aimed to up the ante in what they call as “Serbisyong Deekalidad” with a planned hemodialysis facility in one of the biggest and highly-developed barangays in Pampanga.
“Iyun pung naipangako kong dialysis center, kung sakaling makuha ko second term ko, at sa tulong ni Mayor Cris garbo at ng provincial government, hihingi po tayo ng tulong para maisakatuparan natin ito,” Derrick said in a recent radio interview.
Since its establishment, residents even from outside of Dau have trooped to the pharmacy with its regular distribution of maintenance medicines.
The initiatives of the Dee siblings have also gotten support from various NGOs, including the Dee Hwa Liong Foundation, a philanthropic group of Chinese businessmen formed by their late father.
They have also been conducting regular medical missions for children, particularly the “Libreng Operasyon Para Sa Mga Pingot o Ngo-ngo”. This year, the surgical mission for children with cleft palate will be held on November 12 to 17 at the Mabalacat District Hospital.
Dee Vs Morales redux
Derrick is seeking a second term of office as Barangay Captain. His re-election is taking the shape of the Dee-Morales contest for mayorship in the 1990s and 2000s when the late businessman went against Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales in fierce elections.
While Boking may be banking on his 22-year reign as Mabalacat’s top chief executive, Derrick has solid backing with incumbent Mayor Cris Garbo supporting his re-election bid. A third possible candidate is one Maricel Rodriguez who has been doing the rounds with her own outreaches in Dau.
Aside from medical programs, tucked in the re-electionist’s belt are various projects that include road concreting, waste management, peace and order initiatives and youth development programs that include the very first wood floor basketball court in Dau.
Garbo has also helped in his various undertakings. Only this week, Derrick has distributed P1-million worth of financial assistance to 73 recipients as processed by the City Social Assistance Office led by Ma. Luisa Maglalang
For this, Derrick only has kind words for Garbo.
“Believe ako sa kanya at sa kanyang mga programa. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya”, he said.
Volunteer Fireman
Even with his own medical condition, Timmy is a known volunteer fireman who has also formed a volunteer fire brigade. The Dee Hwa Liong Fire Brigade has responded to numerous fires and other accidents needing first responders.
In various FB posts, the councilor is widely-recognized and praised for risking life and limbs in responding to fire incidents.
SocMed Comments
Social media, particularly Facebook, is awash with positive comments on the contributions of the Dee brothers.
To cite a few:
Remedios Sanchez Gutierrez
Thank you po sa mga gamot na binibigay nyo sa amin…kung wala po kayo paano na kaming mga tao na walang perang pambili ng gamot…sana di ka po magsawa sa pagtulong sa mga tao….andito lang po kami na sumusuporta sa inyong magkapatid
Elowen P. Manalo
DEE one en only city councilor na walang pinipilng oras ng anumang sakuna.. Responde kaagad khit madaling araw o anuman oras.. Mabuhay po kayo aking honorable..
Ronnie Jen Tanglao
Yan ang pagtulong nasa puso at isip yan kailangan ngbayan natin mabuhay ka boss timothy
Solomon Einoc
Saludo ako sayo kap…Derrick Dee at sa buong pamilya mo God bless you all..ipagpatuloy mo lang Po Ang tunay at makapusong serbisyo..d man Po ako jn sa lugar mo bumoboto dahil sa ibang barangay ako..nakikita ko na ikaw ay magtatapos NG term mo at oras Po na sa halalang bayan kana Isa ako sa magiging volunteer angels mo..keep it up kap..
Jeron Balunsat
Salute to Dee brothers kahit anong panahon Serbisyong Deekalidad
