Pangasinan: Provincial administrator Manuel Luis Jr. of Pangasinan stated that the Handog ng Pangulo Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat service caravan is timely, given the province's declaration of a state of calamity.
According to Philippines News Agency, Luis expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and various national government agencies on behalf of Governor Ramon Guico III and the residents of Pangasinan during the caravan's opening program at the Sison Auditorium. He noted, "This is proof that the bayanihan spirit is alive and that the government is committed to delivering services to the people, especially during crises."
Among the services provided to the residents were rice, vegetable seeds, and fertilizer distribution by the Department of Agriculture. The caravan also included the distribution of Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk, along with veterinary programs and services.
The Department of Health offered medical and dental checkups, laboratory tests, eye screenings, medicine provision, and other health-related services. The caravan emphasized preventive health care, including newborn screening, active tuberculosis case finding, consultations, mobile X-ray, and testing for glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation provided indemnity checks to affected farmers, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed a motorized fishing boat and fingerlings.
Luis highlighted that the Department of Labor and Employment presented over 10,000 job openings at a job fair and conducted a payout for beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers' program.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) delivered community-based YAKAP services, which included initial patient encounters, consultations, empanelment, and the potential receipt of prescriptions for the GAMOT benefit or free medications. PhilHealth also assisted with membership registration and guided clients on their available clinical options.
Luis indicated that around 700 learners, parents, and teachers availed themselves of the services at the Lingayen 1 Central School. Other venues for the service caravan included Robert B. Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium in Rosales, CSI Stadia in Dagupan City, and Sison Auditorium in Lingayen.
Sheila Mae Dela Cruz from Lingayen expressed her gratitude for the YAKAP program, as she received a medical checkup and free medicine for herself and her child. Mary Grace Manaois from Binmaley noted that the TUPAD program provided her with temporary employment, which significantly aided her family while contributing to community cleanliness after flooding caused by weather disturbances.
Luis reported that approximately 600,000 families, or over 2.1 million individuals in the province, have been affected by recent typhoons and the enhanced southwest monsoon. The estimated cost of damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and livestock was recorded at PHP1 billion as of September 13.
"We have experienced month-long rain, and we have experienced the effects of the weather disturbances; hence, the official declaration of a state of calamity," he added.
