Ate Sarah: Heartfelt public service shines

Helping others comes naturally to Sarah Discaya, affectionately known as “Ate Sarah” by her political allies and supporters.

Running for mayor of Pasig City in the May midterm elections, the 48-year-old businesswoman and philanthropist credits her late father for instilling in her, since childhood, the values of kindness and empathy — urging her to share blessings with the poor and needy.

Despite critics claiming her weekly medical missions across all barangays since last year are mere election tactics tied to her company’s corporate social responsibility, Ate Sarah’s heartfelt service proves her compassion is genuine, not just a campaign ploy.

“Actually, with our charitable works, whatever my parents are doing, that’s also what I’m doing,” Discaya said.

“So, at a young age when I was a teenager, I saw from my parents that every Christmas, sometimes we would give out grocery packs.”

“I carried on. My daddy said that as long as we earn, we should share, even if it’s just a little. That’s really what got implanted in my mind — that even if our earnings are small, we should learn to share. We feel that it truly makes life lighter,” she added.

Discaya said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, her family is already helping other people.

“It’s really hard because we get bashed by people who don’t even know us — they don’t know what we’re doing,” she said.

And even prior to the pandemic, Discaya said that they also extended assistance to families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption as three truckloads of relief packs were given to displaced families. The company’s charity foundation also extended assistance to the Department of Education’s Balik Eskwela program.

“So it’s not true that we’re only helping now. Helping has always been my passion because, as I said, God wouldn’t bless us with this if we weren’t meant to be instruments for others,” she added.

She also urged other people to strive harder to achieve their goals and make the life story with her husband, Curlee Discaya, as an inspiration to not be defeated by challenges.

“At the end of the rainbow, there’s always a pot of gold. If you and your partner strive together, things will somehow get better,” she said.

Asked what pushed her to go into politics, Discaya said that public service is not different from what she’s doing right now.

“Like I said, helping others is my passion. As long as I can, especially those who are oppressed, I want to help. It’s an everyday thing; it’s like a part of the company now,” she said.

“What really pushed us into politics was when people started coming to us with their needs. Maybe they thought we were running because we give away wheelchairs and quad canes every time it’s our birthday. But we never planned on running for office,” she added.

Discaya, however, saw something was not right when many people sought help from them when there was a government that was supposed to do that.

“We went around and looked into it, asking ourselves, why is this happening? There were stories in the hospitals about a lack of medicine, a shortage of this and that,” she said.

Discaya said that the medical mission was supposed to start last year, but since their office became a ground for people who ask for assistance, they immediately started it.

Discaya’s goal was to give herself a birthday gift by organizing a medical mission for the people. She decided to move forward with it after noticing the number of people seeking help for computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging and maintenance medicines. “Somebody needs to stand up,” she said.

As a contractor in the construction industry, Discaya plans to build a new hospital, additional school buildings, in-city housing and other infrastructure projects if she wins the upcoming midterm elections. “In terms of infrastructure, we have the experience to bring that in,” she shared.

When it comes to helping others, Discaya feels it’s natural for her, given her experience of being in a difficult situation. “We have empathy because we’ve been in the same place as those who are struggling,” she added.

Discaya also emphasized that they never seek reimbursement for the expenses of their medical missions or the financial assistance they provide to Pasigueños. “Honestly, the money I spend comes back. So, everything I spend now doesn’t feel like a loss… I don’t need to get anything back,” she said.

“The best return is for my family and me to be healthy. Maybe because it’s the first time they’ll have someone who thinks of others, unlike politicians who are driven by self-interest. I grew up here, and this is where I’ll probably end my life. I want my kids to experience the same joy and culture in Pasig that I did, so it can benefit future generations, not just me,” she added.

If elected mayor, Discaya vowed to transform Pasig into a Smart City, where the delivery of basic services and community projects will be fully digitalized.

Digital shift, Pasig’s natural step

Discaya sees digitalization as a natural step for Pasig, especially in managing documents. She pointed out the inefficiencies in public hospitals, where manual processes like filling out forms still exist. She envisions a system where patients’ records are easily accessible, reducing redundancy. Similarly, she wants to streamline the process for business permits to make it easier for entrepreneurs.

She also believes that digitalization can reduce government red tape, which often causes delays or requires additional payments to speed up processes. Discaya’s aim is to make everything efficient so that people are happy with the system.

If elected, Discaya plans to build high-rise in-city housing for homeless families and informal settlers, with small communities that include markets and terminals. She also intends to provide livelihood opportunities to help families cover expenses like utilities.

To address traffic issues, Discaya proposes installing sensor-based traffic lights throughout the city, eliminating the need for manual control by enforcers. She also plans to install more solar-powered streetlights to improve security in poorly lit areas, as dark streets are more prone to crime.

Healthcare is a top priority for Discaya. She wants to improve hospital services, bringing back the old yellow card system to prioritize Pasigueños and even offering “zero billing” for indigent patients, inspired by the governor of South Cotabato. She also plans to build an 11-story hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and a specialized geriatric hospital for senior citizens.

In education, Discaya aims to build additional school facilities and increase the number of scholars in the LGU-run university. She believes that education should be accessible to all, not just those with high grades, and intends to expand opportunities for students.

Discaya also advocates for inclusive governance, planning to involve marginalized communities, such as tricycle drivers, in decision-making. She believes the city’s programs should be tailored to the needs of its residents, ensuring everyone is represented.

Finally, Discaya envisions a more interactive form of leadership, where residents can provide input and suggestions. She plans to have special days for barangay officials and residents to meet with her, making sure that local government programs are aligned with their needs.

Discaya emphasized that she does not consider herself entitled but instead views herself as an employee of the people, ready to serve and improve the lives of Pasigueños.