Seventeen-year-old Melbin Danza from Sitio Alon in Barangay Malabog is alive today, thanks to the quick response and financial assistance provided by the City Government of Davao’s Lingap Para sa Mahirap program.
Melbin, the son of farmer Mario Danza, was harvesting Abaca in the mountains when a heavy downpour made the terrain dangerously slippery. As he made his way down, he lost his footing on the muddy ground and fell—landing on a sharp wooden stick that pierced his body.
“It was the most terrifying moment of my life,” Mario recalled. “I didn’t know if my son would make it. We didn’t have the money for the operation he needed.”
With time working against them, Mario turned to the city’s Lingap program—a long-running initiative that provides financial aid to indigent residents during times of crisis. The program shouldered the cost of Melbin’s emergency medical procedure, ultimately saving the teen’s life.
“Nagpasalamat jod ko nga natabangan ko kay kung wala sila, kini akong bata pado’ng gyod ni’s kamatayon,” Mario said tearfully. (“I’m so thankful that they helped me, because without them, my child would have died.”)
Thanks to the support from Lingap, Melbin is now on the road to recovery. Mario says the help they received lifted a huge burden from his family, whose livelihood from Abaca farming leaves little room for unexpected expenses.
Beyond Melbin’s case, the Lingap Para sa Mahirap program continues to be a lifeline for thousands of Dabawenyos. Between 2022 and 2024, the city disbursed over ₱1.7 billion, benefiting 570,490 individuals. The program covers a wide range of emergency needs—from hospital bills and dialysis treatments to funeral expenses. Cancer patients are also prioritized under the initiative.
What sets Lingap apart is its accessibility through multiple satellite offices across Davao, ensuring that even those in remote areas can seek immediate support in times of need.
In the face of hardship, programs like Lingap are a reminder that compassion and swift action can mean the difference between life and death. For the Danza family, it was the helping hand they needed during their darkest hour.
For those in need of assistance, inquiries can be made through the Lingap Para sa Mahirap Facebook page, or via the following contact numbers:
- Main Office: 0966-860-1552, 0945-399-3775, 0962-335-6853
- Bunawan Satellite Office: 0907-558-3581
- Calinan Satellite Office: 0992-332-2079
- Marilog Satellite Office: 0994-802-1340
- Paquibato Satellite Office: 0909-960-9336
- Poblacion Satellite Office: 0991-696-8856
- Toril Satellite Office: 0967-195-5176
No Dabawenyo should face crisis alone—this is the promise that Lingap continues to uphold.
4o