First Lady’s ‘Lab for All’ Caravan Delivers P10 Million in Aid to Sorsogon

SORSOGON — The ‘Lab for All’ caravan, an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, has provided nearly PHP10 million in government aid to indigent families and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) across 15 municipalities in Sorsogon province this week. The aid distribution aims to support the livelihoods and welfare of local communities heavily impacted by economic challenges.

According to Philippines News Agency, interventions totaling PHP7.8 million were disbursed during the event, which included agricultural support in the form of 500 grafted pili seedlings, 3,000 packets of vegetable seeds, and 100 bamboo planting materials. Additionally, DA-5 facilitated the handover of ‘Lab for All’ Livelihood Packages, which encompass various farming essentials tailored to enhance local agricultural productivity. These packages included ready-to-lay poultry, feed, and farming supplies, benefiting ten local FCAs such as the Gimagaan Indigenous People’s Farmers Association and the Barangay Gogon Farmers Association, among others.

Simultaneously, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) contributed PHP1.8 million in financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. This aid benefited 939 indigent individuals across several municipalities, providing them with PHP2,000 each to help mitigate the effects of rising prices on essential goods. The DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) also supplemented these efforts by distributing essential relief supplies to the affected individuals.

Furthermore, fifteen local government units received support for animal husbandry, including mallard ducks and swine, along with the necessary feeds and veterinary supplies. Notably, eight of these units participated in a swine-calibrated repopulation project, receiving PHP6 million worth of support designed to bolster local swine production capacities.

The ‘Lab for All’ caravan reflects the First Lady’s commitment to delivering essential services such as health, education, and livelihood support directly to those in dire need, focusing on communities that are less accessible and heavily affected by economic pressures.