Blind lola begs amid pandemic for orphaned grandkids

A 70-year-old grandmother spends her days begging for change along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City in order to feed her three grandchildren who were orphaned by their mother.

According to 24 Oras report by Mark Makalalad on Monday, Cindy Carigitan is accompanied by her grandchild Lea as she begs for help from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

“Kailangan ko po kasi ‘yung pang-araw araw namin sa ngayon. Lalo na ‘yung mga apo ko… e minsan po walang wala talaga kaya ako nagpupunta rito,” Carigitan said.

“Isang kilometro po nilalakad namin sinasamahan ko po si nanay para mayroon po kaming makain,” her granchild added.

Carigitan said she received aid from the government’s amelioration program but she had to use up those funds to pay for the burial expenses of her late daughter.

“Wala po akong pang-ano do’n sa mga apo ko na naiwan po ng nanay. E namatay po ‘yon no’ng March 23. Nailibing lang namin ‘yon April 3. E sa totoo lang po, ‘di pa ko nakabayad do’n sa ospital,” she said.

Carigitan said she is lucky if she collects P200 in one day.

Tricycle drivers in the area that she frequents said they extend help to Carigitan whenever they can. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News