FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga – First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos brought her mobile health and social services program Lab for All to upland Aeta communities here on Feb. 20 as “our way of bringing government services closer to the people.”
Some 2,800 Aetas from Barangays Mawacat and Nabuclod were attended to by Lab for All partners in both the public and private sectors, dispensing different services at the Nabuclod covered court.
The first lady turned over here two vehicles – a water tanker and an Elf delivery truck – to the Pampanga provincial government for use by the Aeta communities in distribution of potable water and in transporting their produce to the market.
The Department of Health gave supplemental feeding and deworming to 586 school pupils while a medical mission by the provincial health office served 500 individuals. A total of 111 persons received eye check-ups and were provided with free eye glasses.
The Department of Agriculture gave seedlings and farming tools to 140 upland farmers.
The Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development served 1,415 beneficiaries who were also provided with family food packs.
In both thanksgiving to the first lady and as tribute to Vice Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda on the eve of her birthday, Aeta talents such as the Ayta Brothers, Kamias High School Cultural Troupe, and Nanay Community Worker Karen Casupanan rendered dance and musical performances.
The vice governor expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Araneta-Marcos whom she said was the first-ever first lady to ever visit and serve the Aeta communities.
“Sana maisama po sa programa ng gobyerno yung ating mga kababayan na katutubo kasi ang sabi nila may pangarap din sila sa buhay, gusto nilang makisama sa mga unat sa ibaba,” she added.
Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda thanked the first lady and the Lab for All partners for working together to lift the lives of poor Filipinos like Aetas.
Pampanga 2nd District board member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and Mayor Darwin Manalansan also accompanied the first lady in checking out the services.
Started in May 2023, Lab for All provides primary health care with several laboratory tests like ECG, ultrasound, blood chemistry, and dental services.
