GOVERNMENT SERVICES. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (front) and other national and provincial government officials grace the "Lab for All" caravan in Binalonan, Pangasinan on Tuesday (Oct. 24, 2023). Over 13,000 Pangasinenses benefited from the program that was launched in different municipalities on Oct. 19. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Ramon Guico III Facebook)
BINALONAN, Pangasinan - Over 13,000 Pangasinenses availed of free medical, legal, and other services of national government agencies and private entities through the “Lab for All” caravan held Oct. 19 to 24 in different municipalities of the province.
A brainchild of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who attended the activities here on Tuesday, the caravan primarily aims to bring health care closer to the public, especially in rural communities.
“Sabi po ng asawa ko (My husband said), government services to the people, make it closer to the people and not the other way around,” she said in her speech.
Department of Health provided medicines, diet supplement packages for the pregnant, oral health family packs, 100 wheelchairs, 50 foldable walkers, two pedia walkers, and six pairs of crutches.
Medical practitioners provided family, pediatrics, ob-gyn, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmology, and dental checkups, as well as minor surgeries.
Among the laboratory services were X-ray, electrocardiography, ultrasound, and hearing tests.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food packs and financial assistance worth up to PHP2,000.
“We also provided financial assistance on the spot to some patients if the doctors determined that the patient needs further medical intervention. This is for extreme cases,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian told journalists.
The National Housing Authority raffled off five slots for Pangasinan Ville, a government housing project in Urdaneta City.
Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera III, in a separate interview, said they distributed education subsidy to 600 students, who received PHP15,000 each.
The Food and Drug Administration also offered its “Programang Bigyang Halaga, Bangon Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises” (Give Importance, Rise Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), which provides training on license to operate and certificate of product registration, and on-site processing of other permits.
The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority distributed starter tool kits for bread and pastry making, organic tea-making, pedicure and manicure, and dress-making, among others, as well as scholarship slots.
Beneficiary Patricia Javiento thanked the national government for the family pack and medicines she received.
“Thank you so much for all these blessings,” she said.
Eduardo Alcaras said it was his first time to experience the services he received from the caravan.
“Nahihirapan akong umihi kaya nagpa-test ako at nakakuha ng mga vitamins. May groceries din na may bigas at gatas at iba pa (I have trouble urinating so I decided to avail of the laboratory test and I was able to get also some vitamins. There are also groceries that contain rice and milk among others),” he said.
Violeta Cabaroso hopes the government will implement the caravan continuously.
“Masarap ang serbisyo na nakuha talaga. First time ko. Sana ipagpatuloy ng gobyerno ang ganitong serbisyo sa malalayong lugar (We really enjoyed the services they provided here. It was my first time availing these. I hope the government will continue to bring these services to far-flung areas),” she said.
Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III echoed the residents’ gratitude to the national government.
“We are overwhelmed to have the First Lady today. We just prepared logistics and facilities but most of the resources and manpower came from the program of the First Lady,” he said. (PNA)
