First Lady Leads Mammoth Medical, Social Services in Bayambang

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – A mammoth consultation and distribution of medical, legal, and social services from various government offices ensued recently here led by the First Lady of the Republic of the Philippines.

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos spearheaded the “LAB for ALL” held at the Pavillion-1 of the Sain Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park last February 6.

FIRST Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos (3^rd from left) leads the flashing of the love sign through her fingers before the thousands of beneficiaries of the national government ‘s “LAB for ALL Project” or Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat held at the Pavillion-1 of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park last February 6. Marcos is joined in this photo (from left to right) by Pangasinan 3^rd District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, former mayor Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, presidential son Vinny Marcos, and Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera III. 

The LAB for ALL Project, which stands for “Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat”, was initiated by the First Lady in partnership with the local government units, other national government agencies, and private partners to provide health care services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the population.

National and provincial government officials joined the First Lady on this historical endeavor in this thriving landlocked town.

They were the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led by Secretary Cristina Roque, Public Attorneys Office (PAO) led by Lawyer Persida Rueda-Acosta, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) led by J. Prospero de Vera III, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Senate, the Philippines Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) and Grand 88, Pag-Ibig Fund, Conrado Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center, 3^rd District Cong. Ma. Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, and others.

They were warmly welcomed by former Mayor Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao who represented his wife Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose Quiambao.

The “LAB for All” caravan had been patronized by thousands of Pangasinense in and out of this town.

The DSWD furnished cash assistance to 1,500 individuals unders its Assistance to Individuals in Crises Situation (AICS) where each of them received P2,000.

The CHED gave Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) grants and scholarship for qualified applicants.

Pag-Ibig furnished Loyalty I.D Application and Membership through Lingkod Pag-Ibig on Wheels.

The Go-Negosy of the DTI gave entrepreneurship mentoring session to guide aspiring businessmen to strengthen and expand their enterprises.

The FDA furnished assistance to food manufacturers and pharmacists to avail the license.

The PAO gave free legal assistance to those aggrieved.

The PCSO and Grand 88 donated mobile clinic here and distributed 1,500 Charitimba food packs.

The PhilHealth had processesed members’ registration, distributed identification cards, and assisted those who want to update their accounts.

The joint efforts of the national government offices for the “LAB for All Program” directly brought assistance to the Filipinos for their livelihood capitalization to oppurtunities in education.

The Program will be going to various parts of the Philippines to render the same services it had rendered in Bayambang.

“The last time I was here in October 18 when we inaugurated the JKQ (Julius K. Quiambao) Medical Center. Natuwa po ako kasi napakaganda ng mga facilities. Sabi ko babalik uli ako pag may pasyente na. I am so happy that you had that hospital. In keeping with my husband promised to bring medical supplies and medical services in town,” First Lady Marcos told the crowd here.

Meanwhile, the First Lady spearheaded on the same day the ground breaking ceremony of the new building of the Bayambang Polytechnic College at Brgy. Bical Norte here.

BPC President Dr. Rafael L. Saygo led the opening remarks while special messages were given by former mayor Quiambao, who founded the BPC, and CHED Chair Dr. De Vera.