New Lucena: At least 2,500 residents of the municipality of New Lucena in Iloilo benefitted from the Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat (Lab-for-All) program of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos that culminated on Tuesday. 'During the last SONA (State of the Nation Address) of my husband (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), he said we bring laboratory and other primary health care services closer to our kababayan (people). So, that's why he sent us here to fulfill his promise,' she said.
According to Philippines News Agency, during its pre-caravan services in Barangays Bilidan, Bololacao, and Jelicuon Oeste, the Lab-for-All catered to 1,000 beneficiaries, while Tuesday's event at the municipal gymnasium had 1,500 pre-registered recipients. The beneficiaries received medical check-ups, including ENT, OB-GYN, pediatric consultations, ophthalmology and dental services, laboratory tests such as ECG, ultrasound, and blood chemistry; and other various government services.
Among the participating government agencies were the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Pag-IBIG, Commission on Higher Education, Development Bank of the Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government Tri-Bureau Group, and private sector partners, among others.
In her message, New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville said that the Lab-for-All made them feel the government's presence more than ever. She expressed gratitude to President Marcos 'for his strong leadership and compassion for the Filipino people.' She noted that the services received by her constituents were not only free health care and financial assistance but also other essential government services. 'Lab-for-All is truly one of a kind. It embodies the spirit of Bagong Pilipinas, a new Philippines where the government is felt, not only in the big cities but also in small, humble communities like New Lucena,' she said.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the government for the Lab-for-All program. Rosemarie Malones, 63 years old from Barangay Bilidan, said she has maintenance for hypertension. She was grateful to the First Lady because, through the program, she availed of medical assistance. 'Maraming salamat kay First Lady. Libre ang bolong namon kay wala man kaming pera pambili kay mahirap lang kami (Thank you to our First Lady. We availed of free medicines because we don't have money since we are poor),' she said.
Rene Dave Castro, a second-year student at the Iloilo Science and Technology University - Dumangas, Iloilo, received his PHP7,500 financial grant under the Tulong Dunong Program implemented by CHED. "I am happy because the grant can help us finish school,' he said.
