LUCENA CITY (PIA) — Over 3,000 residents of Quezon province received free laboratory tests, consultations, and medicines during the Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat (Lab for All) caravan program on Tuesday, January 9.

This marks the first leg of the caravan in Quezon province, which aims to bring healthcare services closer to the people, especially in rural communities. 

Quezon is the 18th province in the country to benefit from the caravan.

Among the services provided were laboratory tests, dental check-ups, ophthalmology, and free consultations.

According to First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, they chose Quezon as the first stop of the caravan this year due to the province’s concrete health program and commitment to improving its healthcare system.

The First Lady visited Quezon for the first time. She said she would ensure continuous assistance to the province as their way of bringing health services closer to the people.

An initiative of the First Lady, the caravan makes essential healthcare services such as free consultation, health screening and assessment, laboratory tests, and medicines more accessible to ordinary Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Gov. Angelina Tan thanked the First Lady for prioritizing Quezon.

She also acknowledged other government agencies that supported the caravan, such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Aldrin Argoso, one of the beneficiaries who availed of the free consultation for his hypertension, expressed his appreciation for the health service, calling it a good initiative and a great help to people lacking access to basic health services.

“Maganda po ang programang Lab for All na ito sapagkat maraming mahihirap ang natutulungan dahilan sa libreng konsulta at libreng gamot,” said Argoso.

Apart from the free health check-up, Argoso also received P2,000 worth of medicine for his hypertension.

In addition to free consultations and laboratory tests, residents also availed themselves of free services from various government agencies, such as free legal consultation, scholarship grants, seedlings distribution, and livelihood training consultation.

Some beneficiaries also received interventions like free housing from the National Housing Authority, educational assistance from the Commission on Higher Education, and crops from the Department of Agriculture. (Ruel Orinday, PIA Quezon)