Several national government agencies extended assistance to Negrenses through the “Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat” (LAB For All) caravan held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who spearheads the “LAB For All” project, graced the event, which was the culmination of the outreach activities that started in the city’s three rural barangays last weekend.
“Bago will always have a special place in my heart, my father grew up here,” Araneta-Marcos said in her message.
She said her father, Manuel “Manolet” Ledesma Araneta Jr., had fond memories of Bago.
Acknowledging the city’s recent hardships brought by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano and recent Typhoon Tino, Araneta-Marcos said they brought “LAB For All” to Bago “to bring a little relief to the people” in the city.
Various forms of assistance and services were provided by the partner-agencies, alongside the First Lady’s community-based healthcare initiative.
Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao said that “LAB For All” reflects the kind of government spirit the local government unit aspires to reflect.
“Sincere, service-driven, and grounded in the simple commitment to make life better and more dignified for our people. ‘LAB For All’ stands as a powerful reminder that health is a right, not a privilege,” she said.
During the caravan, the Department of Health provided comprehensive healthcare services to more than 300 residents.
The beneficiaries availed of general and family medicine consultations, obstetric assessments with free medicines, dental services, obstetrics and gynecology counseling, Pap smear, laboratory diagnostics, ultrasound examinations for pregnant women, and nutrition counseling.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed a total of PHP4.5 million in cash aid to 1,500 Bagonhons, who received PHP3,000 each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.
Three associations got PHP1.26 million in seed capital fund grants under the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
The beneficiaries were the Dancalan Operators and Drivers Association of Ilog, Kauswagan Workers Association of Cadiz City, and Ugyon Tuburan Fisherfolks Association of E.B. Magalona.
The DSWD also turned over 15 wheelchairs to clients with mobility challenges.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office distributed 1,500 ChariTimba food packs to identified residents of Bago.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority distributed allowance worth PHP507,430 for 240 trainees of various qualifications under the Special Training for Employment Program.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led the ceremonial turnover of approved loan assistance from the Small Business Corp. to 15 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from various sectors, such as food processing, retail, agriculture, and services.
The city government will also take on the role as cooperator of the DTI’s shared service facility program on coffee processing and toll packaging services worth PHP2.675 million to support coffee processors and related MSMEs. (PNA)