Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. joined First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos during the Iloilo leg of the LAB For All project in the municipality of New Lucena, today, April 29, 2025.
This project of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First Lady is aimed at making healthcare services closer to the public through free medical consultations, laboratory services, and medicines. It also featured frontline services from other national government agencies and private partners.
Governor Defensor underscored the importance of collaboration among government offices in providing basic and quality health services to the public.
“The most important resource of the country is its people and their health. And it is just right that all our departments, offices, and local government units converge for the health of our people,” the governor said.
Defensor also committed to give full support to the LAB For All project.
In the last three days, nearly 1,000 patients from Barangays Bilidan, Bolalacao, and Jelicuon have availed of around 3,800 medical services.
Today, the project has served more or less 1,500 patients across New Lucena.
“During the last SONA (State of the Nation Address) of my husband, he said to bring laboratory and other primary healthcare services closer to our kababayans. So that is why he sent us here to fulfill his promise,” the First Lady said.
Marcos said that Iloilo is the last stop of the visit and it will resume after the election. She also shared that she considers Iloilo as her second home as her dad was born at St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo and she grew up to Ilonggo native dishes.
“That is why I insisted that we come to Iloilo. This is going to be our last visit. We will continue after elections,” the First Lady said.
The event was also attended by Department of Health secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, TESDA director general Jose Francisco Benitez, PCSO officials, Mayor Liecel Mondejar Seville, Board Member June Mondejar, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, and other officials from the national government agencies and local leaders.
(Capitol News)
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