Lab For All Caravan Aids 1,500 Iloilo Residents

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Around 1,500 residents received free medical services during the “Lab For All” health caravan led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in New Lucena, Iloilo, on Tuesday, April 29.

The program, an initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First Lady, aims to deliver free consultations, laboratory services, medicines, and government assistance to underserved communities.

“During the last SONA of my husband, he said to bring laboratory and other primary healthcare services closer to our kababayans, so he sent us here to fulfill that promise,” the First Lady said.

She added that Iloilo holds a special place in her heart, calling it her “second home,” noting that her father was born at St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo and that she grew up enjoying Ilonggo dishes.

She is also a law professor at West Visayas State University.

Beneficiary Melinda Lentija expressed gratitude, saying the caravan provided much-needed medical support for her family.

“My child needed an ECG and X-ray, but we couldn’t afford it—through this medical mission, we were able to avail of those services,” she said.

The Iloilo leg was the final stop before the caravan pauses in compliance with the election period, with operations set to resume after the polls.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. expressed full support for the project and highlighted the importance of coordination among government agencies in delivering health services.

“The most important resource of the country is its people and their health, and it is just right that all departments, offices, and LGUs converge for this,” he said.

From April 26 to 28, nearly 1,000 residents from Barangays Bilidan, Bolalacao, and Jelicuon availed of about 3,800 health services under the same program.

Among the officials present were Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar Seville, and Iloilo Board Member June Mondejar.

The Department of Health and PhilHealth led the medical services, with support from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Other agencies that participated included the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Transportation Office, National Housing Authority, Public Attorney’s Office, TESDA, Food and Drug Administration, and Senate Public Assistance Office.

“Lab For All” is a continuing nationwide initiative to expand access to health and government services, especially in far-flung communities.