It was once a dream for an yKalinga nurse, Myla Docyogen to work overseas. However, after a year and a half of living this dream as an EPA-care-worker in Higashi, Kagawa, Japan, her family had to look for means to come see her after she was hit by a car in 2020 and never woke up since then.
In an interview, Myla’s sister, Rhea Docyogen said that her sister was riding her bicycle and was on her way home from her work on October 27, 2020 when a car hit her as she crossed the pedestrian lane.
With a bicycle against a car, Myla ended up suffering from fractured bone, hemorrhage, blood clot in the brain, and pneumonia. Unfortunately, she ended up under comatose.
Learning the news from Myla’s friend, Rhea narrated that her parents were devastated with the news, especially that they are miles away from her and have no relatives in the area.
“Adda ti napan nangkita ket 50/50 kanon ni manang ko kase sobra malala talaga ti nangyare kanyana,” Rhea recalled.
Due to Covid-19, their uncle was not allowed to enter the hospital, it was only through the nurse whom they asked to take a video of the patient that they got to see her state.
With the intervention of OWWA through the help of the support network in Japan, Rhea who had to sacrifice her work in Tabuk were flown to Japan with her aunt on November 28, 2020. Their parents had to stay in the country to assist her brother in his dialysis. However, even they were already doors away from Myla, they were not allowed to see her until December 28. Rhea was given 15 minutes a day with her.
Seeing her sister for the first time after almost two years and in such a state, Rhea didn’t know how to react and how to process the comatosed image of her sister attached to machines.
“Halos pinapalakas ko nalang loob ko para sa pamilya ko para my maibalita ako sakanila at dinadaan [ko nalang] sa iyak,” she said.
In her everyday visit, she just holds her sister’s hand and talk to her. She also does video call to her parents in the Philippines for them to see her.
“Katkatungtung ko isuna every time apan ak ijai hospital ken ag Video Call kami ti parents ko dita tapos iyabay ko jai phone ijai lapayag na tapno mangeg na,” she said.
Interview with one of Myla’s support group
One of the people in Japan who are helping the family narrated that the driver of the car was in police custody for only a day and gave nothing to the family, “the driver’s car insurance wouldn’t even cover for the expenses on the ground that it’s Myla’s fault allegedly. But, that cannot be contested because the only witness is in coma. She can’t speak for herself, right.”
Fortunately, Myla could claim her labor insurance and pension, but the insurance will only cover her medical expenses up to 6 months. Her last salary was also paid by the employer.
Moreover, she said that a priest in Japan, Fr. Paul Uehara who was contacted by a bishop in Kalinga is helping Rhea in language translation during visits to the hospital and visa extension. The priest is raising fund at the church to help with the expenses. The Filipino community in Myla’s area and their support network in Japan which include the professors in Japan, lawyer, retired professor in Cebu, Filipina spouses, Japanese translator based in Manila, and EPA-careworker candidates are likewise pitching in to help and doing what they can to assist the family.
However, she said, as days go by, it is not enough. “That’s why the family decided to go online to ask for help,” she said. “The family is really in dire need to cover medical expenses and to possibly transport Myla back to the Philippines,” she added.
Meantime, she further said that according to the doctor’s estimation, transporting Myla to the Philippines would cost around 7 million yen with the Covid-19 situation.
Also, she said that one of their worries now is on whether Rhea’s application to stay longer in Japan would be granted if not, Myla would be again on her own as family members are the only ones allowed to see her.
Family, support groups appeal for help to transport her to the Philippines
To save Myla Docyogen, the family and her support groups are appealing to the government for help as they wish to transport Myla back to the Philippines so it would be easier for the family to look after her.
The sister can be contacted on her Facebook account, Rhea Mae Docyogen and on her email, rheamae264@yahoo.com.
To those who wish to help, they can send any of their donations through the following accounts:
1. Bank Remittance to mother of Myla:
Account Name: Melody E. Docyogen
Bank: Philippine National Bank
Account Number: 2286 1007 6152
2 . Remittance using postal savings service, send to:
Name: Rizza Fe Baris Pablo
3. Remittance using other banks/institutions:
Name: Rizza Fe Baris Pablo
Regular account no.: 38094361
4. Using postal cash remittance service:
Japan, Kagawa Ken, Sanuki-Shi
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