Tingog holds ‘Lab for All’ in Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines — Free health services for the poor and a mindset of giving importance to health among Filipinos. That’s what TINGOG party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said about the “Lab for All” project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos under the leadership of President Marcos.

Romualdez made this statement, as she lauded the launching in Tacloban City of the Lab for All caravan – which stands for Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat – last Thursday, spearheaded by the First Lady, who has visited other provinces to roll out free health services.

“Aside from free or affordable health services courtesy of the Lab for All of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, this will develop with Filipinos the culture of prioritizing our health,” said Rep. Romualdez, who witnessed the launch of the health caravan together with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Most of the time, because of hard times, poor Filipinos would rather spend their money on food and basic necessities rather than on services and medicine promoting good health. It’s sad, but it is our reality. But I am confident that Lab for All will change this and help prioritize our health,” she added.

The launch of the health caravan coincided with the payout of P4.2 million in financial aid under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment, held at the Leyte Normal University after the Lab for All event.

Some 1,026 workers received P4,050 each in financial assistance under the program.

The Lab for All caravan offers free consultations, laboratory tests, x-rays and medicine to indigent patients in the community.

Rep. Romualdez said these health services are important to the people, especially those located in far-flung areas where these are not readily accessible.

“With Lab for All, not only is the check-up free, even the labs and x-ray are free, including the medicine given to you. It is all free. And everyone that goes for a check-up will know if they are healthy or have an illness they should focus on,” she said.

“The TINGOG party-list thanks First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for this initiative. This is another program of the Marcos administration that directly helps the people,” she said.