ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY - The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) brought the Marcos administration's healthcare and food assistance programs to this province on Monday, turning over medical funding and rolling out rice aid to beneficiaries.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. visited the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center and announced the release of P10 million in Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) funding.

The money will support the hospital's zero-billing program.

The financial allocation forms part of Malacañang's continuing efforts to improve access to healthcare services and ease the financial burden on indigent patients seeking treatment in government hospitals.

During his visit, Lagdameo inspected key facilities and ongoing expansion projects at the medical center to assess its capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.

Lagdameo also led the rollout of the "Bawat Bayan Makikinabang" Rice Distribution Program. Under the initiative, rice assistance funded through the Local Government Support Fund was distributed to residents from identified barangays across the province.

Additionally, Lagdameo met with provincial officials to discuss the implementation of priority national programs and initiatives in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The government stated that the healthcare and rice assistance initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to expand access to essential public services, strengthen support for vulnerable communities, and bring government assistance closer to Filipinos nationwide.