By YOLLY Z. SOTELO

ONE dog day afternoon, I talked with Dr. Jesus Canto, the former chief of the Region I Medical Center. He is a friend from way back, and I thought I would call him up and ask how he is doing this campaign period.

Dok, for the benefit of those who are living under the rocks these past days, is gunning for a seat in Dagupan City Council under the team of former Mayor Alipio Fernandez, also former commissioner of immigration.

After the usual hi-hello, Dok was direct to the point. “It’s an eye opener,” he said of his campaign.

“What do you mean?” I queried.

“I saw too much poverty in Dagupan during my campaign sorties. About 80 percent of the residents are really poor,” he answered back.

I’ve seen poverty is Dagupan, too, courtesy of ate Lina Tan who tours me around the poor areas to interview the underprivileged children she has been helping. But poverty is everywhere, not only in the city, but also in rural areas.

Dok Canto is blunt: What we usually only see in the city is the façade… which is nice, but deep inside those streets, the poverty is almost tangible. He gave as example the Herrero Street which has big houses along it. But behind those big houses are slums, he said.

Poverty makes the voters vulnerable to politicians who buy votes (and what politician these days do not buy votes?).
People would go to Dok Canto, asking for basketballs, volleyballs, uniforms, and others. The Dok is not rich, he claims. While he can afford some of the items, his resources is unlike a politician I know who seemingly has the country’s resources at his disposal to buy votes. (The politician’s money, by the way, makes his staff haughty, thinking everyone and everyone, can be bought. But that’s another story).

So the Dok turns down the requests but patiently explains to the people who go to him that he was seeking a council seat so he can help in their medical needs. So he can pass ordinances to help in the medical needs of the people. So every sickness that usually hounds the city residents would be considered public health issue.

“Some understand. Others do not,” he said.

Dok Canto has been caring for the poor people not only in the city but throughout the province. He had the Text A Doctor project while he was the head of the RIMC. The poor, those who really can’t afford medical procedures, are benefited by the project. He also had the Operation Smile which offered free surgery for those suffering from cleft palate and cleft lip problems.

Dok Canto may have some naughty side to his being (wink, wink!). But he has a heart for the poor. He promises the city poor free medical services “and we’ll find free medicines for them, too.”

After all, his children are grown up with families of their own. Dok Canto can devote much of his time to helping those needing his help.