First Lady leads LAB for ALL, over 1.5K Pangasinan residents benefit from free services
DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) —First Lady Marie Louise Marcos led the LAB for ALL project on Feb. 6 at St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in Bayambang, Pangasinan, and in her speech emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to uplifting and improving the lives of Filipinos.
The project is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, particularly on healthcare and social services was brought to the province in cooperation with Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bayambang as part of their continuous support for public services for every Filipino.
In her speech, the First Lay also underscored the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of the people through initiatives that promote growth, inclusivity, and progress across the country.
“Every time the LAB for ALL team meets, we always remind ourselves that this is just an extension of what my husband always says: Lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipinas, lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipino (Let us always love the Philippines, let us always love the Filipino people),” the First Lady said.
With 77 barangays in the town, over 1,500 registered patients benefited from the LAB for ALL services, demonstrating the program’s broad impact and its capacity to provide essential healthcare and other public services to a large number of individuals throughout the community.
Comprehensive healthcare and public services
The LAB for ALL initiative in Bayambang town began at Obillo Elementary School and Caturay Elementary School on Feb. 3 and 4 with over 1,400 beneficiaries, followed by an event on Feb. 6 at St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, where the First Lady led the program.
The LAB for ALL offered a range of free services including:
- Laboratory tests
- Medical services, such as specialist consultations
- Dental, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), OB-Gyne, pediatric, and ophthalmic consultations, including cataract screening
- Minor and major surgeries, including circumcision and medical treatments
Joven Mabanglo, 72, a resident of Barangay Nalsian Norte, received free eyeglasses and maintenance medication to relieve her knee pain.
“Maganda ang LAB for ALL program ng gobyerno dahil tumutulong sila sa mga nangangailangan. Mabait si First Lady Marcos, at nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya at sa LGU Bayambang dahil maraming serbisyo ang naibibigay nila, lalo na sa mga katulad ko na mahihirap,” Mabanglo said, emphasizing how this initiative helps ease the burden of high healthcare costs.
(Because they assist those in need, the government’s LAB for ALL project is beneficial. I appreciate First Lady Marcos’ generosity and the many services that LGU Bayambang offers, especially to those in need like me.)
Meanwhile, various national government departments and agencies came over, offering a range of assistance, including:
- Pag-IBIG Fund – Provided the Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels (LPOW), featuring the Loyalty Card Plus application and membership campaign;
- Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) – Donated a mobile clinic to the local government;
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Distributed P2,000 cash grants and food packs to 1,500 individuals under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, as well as P1.76 million in cash grants to eight Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Associations;
- Land Transportation Office (LTO) – Offered free transportation to and from the venue for the event, along with free theoretical driving courses;
- Senate Public Assistance Office – Distributed guarantee letters for various issues;
- Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) – Offered free legal assistance to individuals in need of public legal services;
- Go Negosyo – Conducted free entrepreneurship mentoring sessions through its “3M on Wheels” Program, focusing on issues related to Mentorship, Money, and Market;
- Department of Agriculture (DA) – Distributed seeds and livelihood support;
- Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Distributed Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grants and scholarship opportunities;
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Provided information on skills training and opportunities for those seeking technical education and training; and
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Provided assistance in licensing food manufacturers, pharmacies, and other related establishments.
LGU’s gratitude for the First Lady’s continued support
Former Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao, representing Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Quiambao, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady for her support and initiatives that bring essential services to the people of Bayambang.
“Masaya ang buong bayan ng Bayambang dahil tuwing bumibisita rito si First Lady Marcos ay maraming biyayang natatanggap ang mga tao. Nakikita naman natin na ang LAB for ALL ay may maraming sponsor at nagbibigay ng malaking suporta,” Quiambao said.
(The entire town of Bayambang is happy because every time First Lady Marcos come for a visit, the people receive many blessings. We can see that the LAB for ALL initiative has numerous sponsors and provides significant support.)
It can be recalled that First Lady Marcos showed her support for the Bayambang LGU’s healthcare efforts by gracing the Julius K. Quiambao (JKQ) Medical and Wellness Center Inc., a Level 2 hospital in the town, on Oct. 18, 2024.
Through these continuous efforts, the First Lady and the local government are working hand in hand to improve the quality of life for every Filipino.
The LAB for ALL initiative, alongside other healthcare and public service projects, reflects the commitment of the administration to uplift communities, ensuring that vital services are accessible to all. (AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
