Marcos bears witness for ‘Lab For All’
According to the Department of Health, there are 7,063 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas
Health is gold President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the ‘Lab For All’ caravan in Pasig City, where new mobile clinics were handed over to various local government units. Offering various health services such as free consultations, medicines and basic laboratory tests via mobile clinics, ‘Lab For All’ is part of the effort to improve healthcare access, especially in remote or underserved areas. The caravan has already visited 29 locations nationwide since its inception in May 2023.
Mark Balmores/PPA Pool
More than 1,500 Pasigueños received medical and government assistance as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos brought the “Lab For All” project to Pasig City on Thursday. It was the first time Marcos joined his wife in the “Lab For All” caravan — an initiative led by the First Lady.
“I am so happy that I was able to join my First Lady here in ‘Lab For All,’” Marcos said. “I only hear about my wife’s wonderful project in reports to me… Now I am a witness to the service it provides,” he added.
The Chief Executive also thanked the First Lady for the “Lab For All” program. “Thank you very much for your help in advancing our healthcare system. I am also very fortunate that the one I married also wants to help others and the country,” Marcos said.
According to the Department of Health (DoH), there are 7,063 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. With the “Lab For All” program, the government hopes to bring much-needed services, especially healthcare, to those who need it.
“What we thought of is that instead of waiting for those who are sick to go to the hospitals, we will bring the services to them so that they can have healthcare even in far places,” he said.
Since 2023, the government has brought “Lab For All” to 35 locations across the archipelago. Under this initiative, government services provided are not limited to healthcare, as other agencies join the caravan.
The Commission on Higher Education sets up booths to assist students with scholarships; the National Housing Authority and Pag-IBIG help provide homes; and the Land Transportation Office assists drivers in obtaining driver’s licenses.
Meanwhile, three mobile laboratories donated by the Metrobank Foundation and the Toyota Foundation were turned over to Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur; Tacloban City; and Pasig City. These vehicles carry top-of-the-line X-ray and ultrasound machines, as well as portable urine analyzers and glucose and cholesterol monitors.
Marcos also encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Let’s take care of ourselves. Let’s take advantage of projects like this and the services in health centers so that we can monitor our health. The strongest resources are not the flesh of our pocket but the strength of our body, the vitality of our mind, and the health of our heart,” he said.