A pedicab driver whose legs and left arm were amputated following an electrocution incident last year, received yesterday a wheelchair from the Rotary Club of Dumaguete South, through the help of a businessman.

Rotary Club of Dumaguete South officials brought the wheelchair to Joven Moreno in Sto. Niño Road, Banilad, where he is temporarily residing. The wheelchair was presented by Youman Uymatiao, assistant governor for Zone 3D representing nine Rotary clubs of Oriental Negros and Siquijor province and club secretary Eutropio Ochavillo and witnessed by businessman Joey Varela.

The only requisite for availing of the program is a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ochavillo said that each Rotary club has its own allocation for the wheelchair program.

Of the 50 allotted to Rotary South, 20 units remain open to qualified indigents.

Gov. George Arnaiz was also instrumental in making the shipment of 550 wheelchair units to the country free from import duties and taxes. Part of the agreement is for the recipient to return the wheelchair as soon as he or she gets well. In the case of Joven Moreno, however, he needs the donation for life due to the condition of his legs.

Joven's case reached to the officers of Rotary Club of Dumaguete South through Joey Varela, proprietor of Sta. Monica Beach Resort, who said his morning hiking rituals brought him to Joven's residence and he thought of helping him and referred his case to friends in the Rotary. Joven thanked Varela for his help in the donation.

Joven was electrocuted in October last year while fixing the antenna of his television unit in Banilad. As a result, his legs and left arm were amputated, rendering him totally incapacitated.

Rotary assistant governor Youman Matiao was discussing the possibility of recommending Moreno to a Buddhist Foundation so he may acquire artificial legs and arm. In Bacolod, the foundation has given artificial limbs to 20 indigents, Uymatiao said.*JG

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