Marcos leads OP Family Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos played Santa Claus to employees of his office and their families yesterday as he led the opening of Malacañang for programs that provide free health services and access to lower priced goods.

The administration celebrated the Office of the President (OP) Family Day to recognize the work of Palace employees, whom the late president Ferdinand Marcos described as overpaid but overworked.

“This was taught to me by my father and now I am warning you. This is what my father said: Our staff, those who are helping us, we will overpay them but we will also overwork them,” the President said in remarks delivered at the Kalayaan grounds.

“We know that we are asking you to do a lot of things and sometimes, your work hours are long. So it is just fitting that once in a while, we can pay you back through this kind of merriment, especially for your families who no longer see you because of your long working hours.”

Marcos thanked the workers of his office and cited the role they play in public service.

“No matter how diligent or competent leaders are, if you are not diligent and competent, we cannot do what we need to do to help our countrymen,” Marcos said.

“This is an opportunity to relax a little and be with your loved ones. We prepared some food. There are prizes prepared by different departments,” he added.

The OP Family Day will be celebrated until today.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said three programs championed by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos were made accessible to the OP employees, namely LAB 4 All, Serbisyo Fair and Kadiwa ng Pangulo.

LAB 4 All provides basic laboratory services like CBC, blood chemistry, urinalysis, ECG and ultrasound; specialized tests (cervical cancer and renal disease screening); vaccinations; dental and optical services.

Serbisyo Fair meanwhile delivers basic government services from agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs for passport applications; Philippine Statistics Authority for birth certificates; Land Transportation Office for drivers licenses; clearances from the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation; benefit claims from the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, PhilHealth coverage as well as free legal advice from Public Assistance Office lawyers.

Meanwhile, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo aims to provide consumers access to affordable goods and to help small businesses sell their goods. The Kadiwa booths, which offered produce straight from the farms, will also be open to the surrounding community.

Marcos picked two winners of two multi-purpose electronic bikes and ten winners of housing units from the National Housing Authority.

Another highlight of the event was a free concert featuring OPM icon Bamboo held along Mendiola yesterday evening.

The OP Family Week is a yearly event that seeks to promote a sense of community and family among the employees of the Chief Executive’s office.It is usually held in the last week of September, in line with the establishment of Family Week by former president Fidel V. Ramos in 1992.