TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) – First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos on Tuesday, March 18, led the “Lab for All: Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat” initiative in Samar held at the Basey municipal gym offering free medical and other essential government services to the residents.
The “Lab for All” is a priority project of First Lady Marcos bringing medical care and other services to the communities especially the marginalized sectors through the concerted efforts of both public and private sectors.
During the event, around 3,000 beneficiaries have availed of various medical services provided by the Department of Health Eastern Visayas and the Provincial Health Office of Samar.
Among the services include free consultations, laboratory tests, mobile X-ray and dental services, vision screening, HIV screening, cancer screening, immunization, CKD screening, provision of medicines and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, chair canes, among others.
Corazon Tabugar, a 37-year old resident of Barangay Palaypay, Basey, Samar was very grateful to First Lady Marcos for bringing the medical care services to her hometown.
“Maraming salamat po kay First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos na may ganitong free medical [services] dito sa Basey at sana araw-araw may ganito,” Tabugar said, as she also brought to the venue two senior citizens in their family who availed the services.
(Thank you very much to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for initiating these free medical services here in Basey and I hope this will be done on a daily basis.)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), has served 1,103 beneficiaries, each receiving P3,000, for a total amount of P3,309,000.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture had distributed1,500 sachet/set of vegetable seeds, cow’s milk from the Philippine Carabao Center, 1,000 pieces of jackfruit, cassava planting materials, trichanthera planting materials, free consultations, vaccination and anti-rabies for dogs and cats, among others.
The Department of Trade and Industry showcased its Negosyo Center services, One Town One Product (OTOP) services, and Small Business Corporation booths.
The DTI-Samar also conducted mentoring sessions, providing micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs with business information and opportunities to improve their livelihood.
In her message, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to all who participated in the activity which made the event a successful one.
“Gusto ko lang sana pasalamatan lahat ng mga volunteers, lahat ng public at private sectors,” the First Lady said, adding that the “Lab for All” was made possible with the participation also of the private sector. (I just want to thank all the volunteers, the public and private sectors.)
On behalf of the Baseynons, Mayor Ponferrada expressed her thanks to the First Lady and the governor of Samar for bringing the services of the government closer to her constituents.
“Masayang-masaya and we feel blessed dahil sa dinami-dami ng mga municipalities, ng mga LGUs dito sa Region 8, Basey ang napili. Nagpapasalamat talaga kami kay First Lady at kay Governor Sharee Ann Tan na dito sa Basey na-conduct itong Lab for All,” Ponferrada said.
(We are very happy and we feel blessed because of all the municipalities, LGUs here in Region 8, Basey was chosen. We are truly grateful to the First Lady and Governor Sharee Ann Tan for conducting this Lab for All here in Basey.)
Joining the First Lady during her first visit to Basey were officials from various national government agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, DTI, DA, Public Attorney’s Office, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, National Housing, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and other local government officials. (CBA/PIA Eastern Visayas)
