NICK MERINO (Asbestosis Victim whose daughter died because of the same reason )

 

         On Oct.1 1991, his wife gave birth to their first baby boy Dave Merino, although they were struggling by that time they still pursue to give Dave a good life but he has a Cerebral Palsy. They never stop to love & care for their son. It was a big question for them why their child need to suffer in that disease, while the both parties doesn’t have a history in their family in terms of  Cerebral Palsy. After 3 years, his wife gave birth to their 3^rd child Jubylee Merino; again his daughter was diagnosed with the same disease. For a father like him, it was hard to accept the truth that both his child has a disorder and his first child died without a clear reason. When he found out that his wife is pregnant with their 4^th child they were so afraid because it can suffer the same disease, like their 2^nd & 3^rd child, but they kept their faith in God, prayed a lot & hope that their child is normal. God didn’t let them down & gave them a bouncing baby boy

            On the year 2000, he was recruited by a group formed by a former U.S. Navy Base worker that is trying to get financial support from the U.S. government, because they believe that their body has been contaminated by toxics and asbestos that causes them to love critical diseases. Due to improper organizational plan and questionable management he decided to left his organization and join YAKAP-Subic.

           Then later on, as a part of the requirements, he also found out that asbestos was the reason beyond the disorder of his children. Asbestos is the chemical that has contaminated his body, it came from the materials that has been exposed to the field that they are working. Lack of orientation by the Americans is the one to be blamed with this problem.

             How Nick Merino is continuously fighting for his self and his family’s right. Up to this moment he is still hoping that they will have the justice and proper support from the U.S. government.

 

         On 1978, he and his wife received a blessing from God through their first baby Rona Merino, while Nick continued working as a laborer for 21 years, by 1988, his first child Rona died at the age ten without clear reason. Based on them , their doctor was the one to be blamed by the death of his daughter. After a year on 1989, he was promoted and became a checker. Although it was hard for him and his family to stay in Olongapo due to lack of job, they still decided to pursue their life in Gapo for good, and face the struggle and problems that they are facing.