VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Jan. 26 (PIA)— Over a thousand residents from this city, and the towns of San Ildefonso, Caoayan, Bantay, Santa Catalina, and San Vicente in this province availed of the medical, legal, and social services in the “Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat” or “LAB for ALL” caravan held Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Vigan Convention Center.

The service caravan offered free laboratory tests, x-rays, medical consultations, reading and prescription glasses, medicines, legal consultations, agricultural products and tree seedlings.
 

The program was led by First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” A. Marcos, in cooperation with the local government of Ilocos Sur, national government agencies, and private sector partners.

Each of the beneficiaries also received P2,000 financial assistance from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and food packs containing six kilograms of rice, canned food, coffee, and cereal.
 

Florinda Areola, a 65-year-old resident of Barangay Salindeg in this city, was teary-eyed as she said, “I am here to ask for help with my eye illness and my asthma, I also hope that I can use the cash assistance as a capital in vegetable hawking. I am the only one my grandchild can rely on for his studies, my husband does not make enough money; we have to pay for the electric bill and water, and my child and their partner also live with us.”
 

“I am thankful that I received such an amount for my capital and the medicines for my asthma and my eyes. Thank you so much to all the agencies, and the First Lady,” Areola said.
 

The First Lady meanwhile said, “I am happy to report that we have, so far [served], over 7,000 patients with check-ups, dental services, legal, thanks to Public Attorney’s Office, Food and Drug Administration, PhilHealth, Commission on Higher Education is here to give scholarships, and of course the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for all the training that you give.”
 
She added, “My husband, [President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] said in his State of the Nation Address, we should bring the government services closer to the people and not the other way around, so this is just our small way but hopefully it will grow to become something better, and in the end, we will be able to service more people who need help.”
 
The First Lady also expressed her gratitude to all the government officials, government agencies, and private sector partners.

“And of course, to all of you here today for giving us a chance to be of service to you. Sama-sama tayong babangon muli para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Together we will rise again for the New Philippines)," Marcos said.
 
Moreover, Ryleen Gadong, Social Welfare and Development Team Leader of the DSWD Ilocos Sur stated that some of the 1,500 target beneficiaries were unable to attend due to their medical conditions.
 
However, she said that they must first coordinate with their local Social Welfare and Development Office for home visits to get their medical needs checked and to claim their AICS assistance. (JCR/MJTAB/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)