MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers have urged the public to take advantage of the LAB for All program when the caravan stops by their area so they can avail of free medical consultations and other laboratory tests.
Romualdez in a statement said that the project is highly significant because many people need accessible and free medical services, especially in the countryside.
According to Romualdez, LAB stands for Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat — a project of the first couple, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
“Ang Lab for All caravan ay isang mahalagang inisyatiba ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at ng ating masipag na First Lady. Layunin ng proyektong ito na maghatid ng libreng konsultasyon, X-ray, laboratory tests, at gamot sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan,” Romualdez said when the caravan made a stop at Tacloban City in Leyte.
(The Lab for All caravan is an important initiative of our beloved President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and of our hardworking First Lady. The program’s goal is to bring free consultation, X-rays, laboratory tests, and medicines to communities that need them the most.)
“Ang proyekto pong ito ay may malalim na epekto at kahalagahan para sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino. Marami sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar, ang walang sapat na access sa mga serbisyong medikal. Dahil dito, madalas na napapabayaan ang kanilang kalusugan,” he added.
(This project has a significant effect and importance for Filipinos. Many of our countrymen, especially those in far-flung areas, have no access to proper medical services. Because of this, many have failed to monitor their health.)
Romualdez said Filipinos could avail of free consultation, medicines, and laboratory tests, which he added could improve their health and raise productivity.
“For many ordinary Filipinos, the ‘Lab for All’ caravan is a big help. This brings medical services straight to the community, saves them from getting tired and spending extra expenses brought by traveling to hospitals that may be far from them,” he said.
“We thank and honor the dedication and sacrifices of our First Lady and of the whole team behind the Lab for All caravan. Through their hardships, people, especially senior citizens, get a chance to avail of free and accessible medical services,” he added.
Romualdez’s wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, said that the project will also highlight to Filipinos the importance of maintaining good health.
“Aside from the free medical services brought by the Lab for All of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, it also develops a culture among Filipinos where health is being prioritized,” she said.
“Most of the time, because of hard times, poor Filipinos would rather spend their money on food and basic necessities rather than on services and medicine promoting good health. It is sad but it is our reality. But I am confident that Lab for All will change this and help prioritize health,” she added.
After the Lab for All caravan, Speaker Romualdez, Araneta Marcos, and Rep. Romualdez assisted in the distribution of P4.2 million in financial aid under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The Speaker also accompanied President Marcos at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte during the aid package distribution, which included a P10,000 cash grant to qualified residents of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran provinces whose livelihood was adversely affected by the El Nino phenomenon.
“Our beloved First Lady, your care for the people and your yearning to help them get healthier is heartwarming,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Again, thank you very much, and of course to our First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, for your unwavering support for the people’s needs,” he added.
Aside from the Romualdez couple, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre and Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez were present during the program.
READ: DOH better solve public health issues than change its name