First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos reaffirmed her commitment to empowering local communities in Samar by spearheading a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihood, education and healthcare services.

On Wednesday, Mrs. Marcos lauded Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and other provincial officials after Toyota Motor Philippines donated a high-tech medical van to provide better healthcare to remote communities.

“Another meaningful day with our LAB for ALL partners — this time in Basey, Samar!

I’m super grateful to our public and private partners for bringing healthcare closer to our kababayan,” she shared on Instagram.

Mrs. Marcos also highlighted her support for Basey’s banig (woven mat) industry, a hallmark of Filipino craftsmanship. She inaugurated the new LARA Showroom and banig eco-drying facility, developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute. The facility will help speed up the drying and dyeing of ticog fibers, enhancing the quality of products created by Basey’s skilled weavers.

“With the new LARA Showroom and banig eco-drying facility, our talented weavers can now dry and dye their materials faster and create even more beautiful and durable products. I’m proud to support our skilled weavers as they share the beauty of Filipino craftsmanship with the world!” Mrs. Marcos said.

John Glenn Ocaña, DoST regional director for Eastern Visayas, noted that Mrs. Marcos appreciated the project’s support for women, seniors, and youth, as it preserves a traditional industry deeply rooted in Samar’s culture.

The project is part of the DoST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program, which aims to uplift marginalized communities through technology.

Additionally, the First Lady led the distribution of college subsidies under the “LAB for ALL” program and turned over P8 million for medical scholars at the Samar Island Institute of Medicine at the Samar State University, which was sourced from the Commission on Higher Education.

Mrs. Marcos was joined by Samar officials, including Governor Tan, Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada, and others during the activities.