Discaya to back Vico’s ‘good programs’

Businessman and philanthropist Curlee Discaya on Monday said he will support only the “good programs” of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto following the 12 May elections.

Discaya’s wife, Sara, was defeated in a landslide by Sotto, who secured his third and final term as the city’s chief executive.

"We support Mayor Vico in all his good plans for Pasig," Discaya told DAILY TRIBUNE. “But we cannot support the things that are not good. And we all know what those are. As long as it benefits others, we will help.”

“This time, we will help with all his good programs. We will not oppose any of his good initiatives here in Pasig,” added the 50-year-old construction magnate, who runs a foundation that assists the poor through medical missions and community service.

Asked whether he is open to partnering with the local government under Sotto’s administration, Discaya said he is — if the city is willing to collaborate.

“They might not want a partnership, just like before when we offered to help with the waiting sheds but they didn’t work with us,” he said.

Given that, Discaya said they have currently halted their waiting shed project due to difficulty obtaining city permits.

“For now, we’ve stopped that because, of course, the city does require permits. And it’s been hard for us to meet those requirements,” he said.

Still, he emphasized that his group will continue helping their fellow Pasigueños, especially the needy and indigent, through medical and burial assistance.

“So we’re willing to offer that kind of help,” Discaya said.

He also offered to lend their vehicles and equipment for disaster response and cleanup operations.

"We can lend them our backhoe and trucks to help clear garbage and debris. We can lend our coasters and dump trucks to help people affected by flooding,” he said.

“We also assist during fires — we have fire rescue and ambulances. So we’re ready to help in those situations,” he added.

Discaya assured Pasigueños that their aid efforts will continue — not as aggressive as in recent months — but targeted toward those truly in need.

“So it’s better to focus on different kinds of assistance like burial and medical aid,” he said. “Right now, we’re no longer accepting solicitations for fiestas, sports leagues, or all sorts of events.”

“We’re prioritizing people who are in life-and-death situations,” he added.

Discaya also said their medical missions will continue throughout the city in the coming months.

“Our medical missions will go on, though not as frequent as before. Maybe just once a month instead of every week,” he said.

Despite his wife’s loss in the recent elections, Discaya said he has no regrets about the help they’ve extended to the people of Pasig.

“Even if we lost, in our hearts we know we were also winners because we fulfilled our mission to help more people here in Pasig,” he said.

“We have no regrets about the help we gave because, first and foremost, helping others is truly what’s in our hearts,” he added.