ILAGAN City, Isabela—First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the rollout of the LAB for All Caravan at the Community Center here under the auspices of the provincial government in a bid to bring government services closer to the people.
Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano III thanked the First Lady and the LAB team for introducing the project to his province, saying it was “genuinely very beneficial” to his constituents.
The First Lady conveyed the message of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the people of Isabela.
“My husband, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, asked me to give his best respects to his fellow Ilocanos here in Isabela before I went for Isabela this morning. I just want to express my gratitude to them for everything,” she said.
She also said the province’s LAB for ALL initiative offers more than just free medical care but rather extends beyond providing free medical services as it involves bringing multiple government services from other agencies.
Isabeleños were also given access to other services made possible by participating national government organizations like the Public Attorneys Office’s (PAO) free legal counsel and representation, the Department of Social Welfare and Administration’s (DSWD) financial assistance, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) distribution of “Charitimba” or charity packs.
On the other hand, Vice Governor Faustino Dy III expressed his gratitude to the First Lady and the LAB for All organization for bringing this kind of initiative to the locale.
Ilagan City Mayor Jose Marie Diaz welcomed the First Lady, other dignitaries, visitors, and beneficiaries from neighboring cities and municipalities in the province.
“Who would have expected such an opportunity? If the Ilageños and Isabeleños did not come too far to Manila or Malacañang, the Malacaño they brought here to the province of Isabela to fasten down the national programs. Again, on behalf of the officialdom of the City of Ilagan, the one hundred eighty thousand Ilageños, and the people of the province of Isabela, we welcome you all with warmth and cordiality.”
“May your short visit in the Province of Isabela and the City of Ilagan, be your home away from home” Mayor Diaz said.
The First Lady also thanked volunteers and a number of public and private groups for helping with the LAB for All pre-events, which were held from March 14 to 17 in Echague, Mallig, Cauayan City, and Cabagan.
Offering free medical consultations, eye exams that led to the provision of free prescription glasses, dental care, legal counsel, and laboratory testing covering a variety of subjects such blood chemistry, hematology, minor operations, and medications were all successful outcomes of the project.
LAB for ALL stands for Lingap at Alagang Bayan – Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot para sa Lahat. Among other things, it provides free medical consultations, laboratory services, and medications to the people of Isabela and throughout the country.