For the first time since she assumed the role of the first lady, Liza Araneta Marcos visited her husband's hometown to share and to maje sure her projects reaches the communities.
The First Lady made her first appearance in Leyte during an event at held at the renovated People’s Center and Library, built by her mother-in-law, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, back in the early 1980s.
Mrs. Marcos' Lab for All program, also known as Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat, aims to provide free medical services to the public.
An estimated 2,000 Taclobanons benefited from the event which offered free X-rays, laboratory tests, ECGs, and dental services.
PBBM.s Brainchild
“Ang Lab for All program ho namin ay brainchild namin ng asawa ko. Ang sinabi ng asawa ko, we should bring government services closer to the people and not the other way around,” she said.
In addition, Mrs. Marcos said that city visit of "lab for all" was a gift for her mother-in-law’s 95th birthday.
“Alam naman ninyo na ito ang probinsya ng aking biyenan at sabi ho niya na papunta kami dito ngayon. Birthday gift niya sa inyong lahat,” she said.
Prior to the devastation of typhoon Yolanda in Leyte, the former first lady Imelda Marcos had an unspoken tradition of giving back to the community, specifically in Tolosa, during her birthdays.
Health Is Wealth
Whether a fan of the Marcoses or not, the project is undoubtedly a big help to Taclobanons.
Many Leyteños are turning a blind eye on their health to prioritize the expenses for their daily consumption.
More often than not, most cases are only given medical intervention at it's critical or severe state.
This often means that there is little room for medical practitioners to help or medical expenses are too expensive to afford.
In fact, several Taclobanons who availed the services have not been checked for years.
"Maluoy 2013 pa ak urhi nakag pakita han ak mata. Medical mission la gihapon adto kay waray ko kwarta pagpa check-up. Ig susura nala nam it gastos, " Josie, a senior citizen said.
Unfortunate, the is the reality that if not just Taclobanons but for many Filipinos who solely rely on free medical events due to poverty.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews