Five amputees from various towns of the fifth district of Pangasinan on May 10 were fitted with prostheses to replace their missing legs during a turnover ceremony at the Binalonan Rock Garden Tent.

Jointly-sponsored by the Local Government Unit of Binalonan, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the project benefitted Eduardo Drapeza, Regino Mergillano, Arthur Bongolan, Joven Abrena, and Ruby Ann Bautista.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico III and his wife Maan Tuazon- Guico, proponent of the project, were present during the turnover ceremony.

“Sana ang proyektong eto ay magbigay ng malaking kaginhawaan at katulongan sa ating mga kapatid na amputees na gustong mamuhay nang normal,” Guico said.

“I am planning to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the prosthesis center and our partners to continue with the program,” he added.

With the initiative of Mrs. Guico, the PCSO donated the prostheses. It was learned that another batch of beneficiaries will be receiving their prostheses during the next turnover ceremony.

Eduardo Drapeza, representative of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude to the Guicos, PCSO and DSWD for the project.

Ma. Victoria Nazarita of the MVRN Prosthesis Center gave the beneficiaries orientation on prosthesis.

The most famous Ancient Roman in the history of prosthetics is General Marcus Sergius, who is considered the first documented wearer of a prosthetic limb. In the second Punic War, Sergius lost his right hand and was given a prosthesis, fashioned from iron, that enabled him to hold his shield and continue fighting.

Douglas Bly invented and patented the Doctor Bly’s anatomical leg in 1858, which he referred to as “the most complete and successful invention ever attained in artificial limbs.”