60-year-old pedicab driver with vision problems gets surgeries thanks to GMA Kapuso Foundation

A 60-year-old pedicab driver from Marikina City who suffered from vision problems finally got surgeries thanks to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, Beltran Codilla had been struggling with his livelihood due to his condition.

"Kapag bumabyahe ako ng gabi pag sinisilawan ako ng ilaw di ko makikita. Tumatabi ako pinapalipas ko na lang 'yung liwanag ng kotse," he said.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation, together with its partners, put him in touch with doctors for surgery after he wrote to them and asked for help.

Dr. Mario Gerald Padilla Jr., ophthalmologist at Asian Eye Institute, said that Codilla had cataract and pterygium, a fleshy overgrowth on the clear part of the eye's surface.

In February and March of this year, Beltran underwent two cataract surgeries with the Asian Eye Institute.

"Una, tinanggal natin 'yung pugita or pterygium kinayod natin siya mula sa harap nung mata. And 'yung pangalawa, 'yung katarata tinanggal na natin ang naglagay tayo ng lente kapalit nung dating lente na naging katarak," Padilla said.

Two weeks after the surgeries, Codilla now has clear eyesight and is able to work.

With the help of The Benjamin Canlas Courage to Be Kind Foundation, the GMA Kapuso Foundation also gave Beltran a sidecar for his pedicab to help him with his job and income.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako lalo na sa GMA Kapuso, e, malaking tulong ito sakin dahil maliwanag na ang mata ko—sa Asian Eye Institute, kay Dr. Padilla," Beltran said.

If you're interested to help more people in need like Beltran, the GMA Kapuso Foundation accepts donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News