Recognizing healthcare and social development activities as among the necessities of the Filipinos, the Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan dubbed as “LAB For All” program was framed to bring medical services and other community-based initiatives closer to the people nationwide.
Serving as the brainchild of First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta–Marcos, the program seeks to provide primary healthcare services in the form of free laboratory testing services for a variety of diseases, including medical check-ups, family planning services, distribution of free medicines, tree-planting activities, coastal clean-up drives, feeding programs, among others.
On Sept. 13, simultaneous activities were held throughout the country, in time with the celebration of President Ferdinand Romualdez-Marcos, Jr.’s 66th birthday.
This program has also showcased the multi-stakeholder efforts in nation-building, highlighting the presence of the Bayanihan spirit in every Filipino community.
In particular, the Province of Negros Occidental carried out its LAB Caravan services in the Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) town, covering the barangays of Bunga, Igmaya-an, Kumaliskis, and Pandanon.
Anchored on the whole-of-government approach as prescribed under the Philippines’ National Development Plan, which encourages partnerships and collaboration between the government and the private sector to provide for the medical needs of the Filipino people, the LAB For ALL caravan catered at least 500 to 1,000 beneficiaries in the selected sites of DSB.
The Negros Provincial Health Office and Hospital Operations Department took charge of the provision of medical and dental services; the Philippine Army provided free circumcision and haircuts; the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office distributed a total of 500 food packs; the Technology and Livelihood Development Center served free 1,000 cups of “Arroz Caldo”; while the Provincial Environment Management Office and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist gave out free fruit tree and vegetable seedlings.
Additionally, the Provincial Veterinary Office distributed milk and Kabir chicken; Negros Occidental Language & Information Technology Center and Negros Occidental Scholarship Program accepted applications for scholarships; and the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program led cards distribution.
In Talisay town, a medical and dental mission and feeding program were held at the Talisay Public Plaza, benefiting a total of 1,850 “Talisaynons.”
Further, as part of its LAB For All initiatives, themed “Biyayang Bigas para sa Masa,” San Carlos City distributed more than 1,000 rice packs to pedicab and motorcab drivers in front of city hall, facilitated by its City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Gomersendo Manayon, a 64-year-old pedicab driver from Brgy.1 of San Carlos, expressed his gratitude as one of the recipients of the rice pack.
“This is a big help to me and my family,” said Manayon.
On the other hand, the Local Government of Hinoba-an conducted a coastal clean-up in partnership with the Alpha Kappa Rho International Fraternity and Sorority and other representatives.
Around 30 participants gathered to rehabilitate the environment and provide a clean and amiable site for the tourists and the locals.
In the province of Antique, hundreds of beneficiaries availed of the medical mission initiated by the local government unit of San Jose de Buenavista through its Municipal Health Office (MHO) participated in by the 28 barangays of the said town.
For Iloilo City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) led a medical mission at Barangay Bito-on, Jaro District, where 100 residents were able to avail free check-up and free medicines.
Moreover, the PCSO Iloilo Branch jointly organized a medical mission with the 7 Aces Games and Amusement Corp. at the Rural Health Unit of Sta. Barbara town, serving at least 56 beneficiaries.
In the province of Capiz, the PCSO has also turned over a medicine donation worth P45,000.00 to the local government unit of Panitan town, which was also distributed among the 200 patients who availed the free medical check-up.
Catalyzing a holistic collaboration among various institutions in the country, the Marcos administration acknowledges the importance of the health and well-being of every Filipino as embodied by its LAB For All program.
The joint efforts of the different sectors of society underscore the value of nation-building. It resonates with a harmonized pace of communities towards development, proving that still and all, the Bayanihan spirit lives on.