Thursday, 9 July 2026

LGSF makes healthcare affordable, accessible for Dinagat Islands residents

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. shared that the government’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) has made the province’s healthcare services affordable and accessible to the residents.

The governor made the statement during the Kapihan sa PIA on June 29 at the Provincial Guest Center, Capitol compound, Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose, Dinagat Islands.

He recalled that before the implementation of the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) programs, the LGSF was already helping the provincial government with the hospital and medical needs of the Dinagatnons.

He said, “Kung LGSF ang hisgutan, ang probinsya sa Dinagat Islands ang usa sa nakabenepisyo og dako sa programa” (If we talk about LGSF, the province of Dinagat Islands is one of the LGUs that have greatly benefited from the program).

“The province received a budget from the national government under the LGSF, and it was used to take care of the hospitalization and medication expenses of the Dinagatnons,” he added. “This fund supported the zero billing requests of our hospitals to qualified patients, including medicines and services from medical practitioners, and in purchasing hospital equipment to improve our healthcare services in the province.”

The governor also shared his previous engagement with the Office of the President in February of this year, as one of the 29 governors across the country invited to discuss the enhancements of the LGSF to support LGU projects and programs.

“I am grateful that the Office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. considered the equal allocation of the LGSF to the LGUs to benefit more communities,” the governor told the audience.

Accordingly, P57.88 billion from the 2026 national budget was allocated to the provincies, cities, municipalities and barangays across the country through the LGSF to directly support local projects and programs in food security, health, education, infrastructure and development initiatives that will strengthen nation-building.

Meanwhile, recognizing the geographic challenges of the province with scattered islands and remote barangays, Demerey strategically created the Remedy Aksyon Center (RAC), his flagship program to ensure that no resident is left unattended in times of need and medical assistance supported by LGSF and other provincial programs reach even the most distant communities.

Through the Remedy Aksyon Center (RAC), medical assistance can be availed in the following hospitals in the province: Dinagat District Hospital, Albor District Hospital and Loreto District Hospital.

With the LGSF, the program has expanded its partner health institutions and laboratories in:

Surigao City

1.  Caraga Regional Hospital

2.  Surigao Doctors

3.  St. Paul Hospital

4.  Surigao Medical Center

Butuan City

1.  Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital

2.  ACE Medical Hospital

3.  Butuan Medical Center

4.  Butuan Doctors Hospital

5.  Butuan Puericulture Hospital

6.  Clínica Jesús Nazareno

7.  Manuel J Santos Hospital

Davao City

1.  Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC)

Cebu City

1.  Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

Centers for dialysis patients in:

Butuan City

1.  Vida Dialysis Center Phils

2.  Nephrology Center of Caraga Inc.

Pharmacies in:

Dinagat Islands

1.  Palahang Pharmacy

In Surigao City:

1.  Surigao Health Specialists

2.  Aquarian Pharmacy

3.  iHeart Pharmacy

Butuan City

1.  BG’s Family Aid Pharmacy

2.  C&C Pharmacy

3.  Health Savers Pharmacy

4.  Mercury Drug Store

Meljie Rose M. Sayson, a resident of San Vicente, Tubajon, in her Facebook post, expressed gratitude to the provincial government through the Office of the Dinagat Islands Governor’s RAC for the medical assistance on June 29 that zeroed out her hospital bill balance amounting to P196, 634. 20 at the SPMC, Davao City. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Caraga Youth Congress empowers next generation of agri leaders, advances food security efforts

Participants from across Caraga attend the DUYOG: 1st Caraga Agri-Fishery Youth Congress in Butuan City, equipping themselves with knowledge and skills in leadership, agribusiness, and innovation to become the next generation of farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs, supporting the government’s goal of creating a future where no child goes hungry. (Photo courtesy of DA Caraga)

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Young leaders from across Caraga are taking a greater role in transforming the agriculture and fisheries sector through the DUYOG: 1st Caraga Agri-Fishery Youth Congress, supporting the government’s vision of creating a future where no child goes hungry by preparing the next generation of farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs to help strengthen the country’s food security.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), in partnership with the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Caraga, convened representatives from the 4H Club, Caraga Young Agripreneurs, and Young Farmers Challenge during the three-day congress that opened on July 6 in Butuan City.

The congress also marked the launch of the Caraga Regional Agri-Fishery Youth Network, a platform designed to foster collaboration among young agricultural leaders, amplify their voices in policy discussions, and encourage active participation in agricultural planning, innovation, and program implementation across the region.

“We want to unite all young people engaged in agriculture so we can strengthen the youth’s voice in the formulation of plans and policies for the agriculture sector,” said Juveriel D. Tenio, overall chairperson of the DUYOG Congress.

Highlighting the importance of sustained youth representation in the sector, Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Caraga Chairperson Christopher H. Lindo said that the region has already established a sectoral committee on youth in agriculture under the regional council.

“Here in Caraga, we already have a Sectoral Committee on Youth in Agriculture under the RAFC. We will also work to establish similar committees at the provincial and municipal levels so that more young people can actively participate in shaping the future of agriculture,” Lindo said.

In a message delivered by DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. on behalf of DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro, the Department emphasized that the youth are indispensable partners in building a resilient and prosperous agriculture sector.

“The youth are the key to a resilient and prosperous future. I encourage you to take advantage of the government’s agriculture and fisheries programs to develop your skills and expand the opportunities available to you,” Navarro said.

Participants also attended learning sessions on agribusiness, leadership, innovation, and government support programs, equipping them with knowledge and practical skills to improve productivity, develop sustainable enterprises, and generate livelihood opportunities in their communities.

The congress is expected to produce long-term gains for both the youth and the agriculture sector by cultivating a new generation of capable agricultural leaders, strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship, and encouraging greater participation in agricultural governance. These efforts are expected to enhance Caraga’s agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ competitiveness, create more rural employment opportunities, and help ensure a stable and nutritious food supply for Filipino families.

The initiative complements the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrust to modernize Philippine agriculture, empower the youth, and achieve lasting food security through stronger collaboration among government, stakeholders, and the next generation of agricultural leaders. By investing in young farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs today, the government moves closer to its shared vision of creating a future where no child goes hungry. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from DA Caraga)

 

Thursday, 9 July 2026

First Lady Liza Marcos’ LAB for All Caravan serves Butuan City residents

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — First Lady Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos’ ‘LAB for All’ (Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot para sa Lahat) caravan reached the city of Butuan on July 7.

Her flagship program, in collaboration with public and private stakeholders, brought healthcare and government services to communities in the city.

The First Lady thanked the city government of Butuan and Congressional Representative Jose ‘Joboy’ S. Aquino II, who worked with public and private partners to make the activity happen, benefiting hundreds of Butuanons.

Beneficiaries received the city government’s services, including assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), among others.

During the caravan, the First Lady took time to visit various government service booths, including the Butuan City Health Department (CHD), which offered free eye checkups and eyeglasses. It also conducted medical checkups, blood sugar tests, blood pressure, and distributed free medicines.

“Today’s outreach comes at a very opportune time for our beneficiaries. It provides not only the assistance they need but, more importantly, the reassurance that in this time of uncertainty, our people are not alone,” said Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun.

Other services offered during the LAB for All caravan included legal consultation; distribution of rice, food packs, and wheelchairs; awarding of livelihood grants to Sustainable Livelihood Program association; turnover of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to different LGUs in Mindanao, and cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. (MFC, PIA Caraga)

Thursday, 9 July 2026

First Lady Liza brings free healthcare services to Caraganons through LAB for All caravan

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Caraganons benefited from free medical consultations, laboratory services, medicines, and assistive devices as First Lady Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos led the LAB for All (Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat) caravan at the Libertad Sports Complex in Butuan City on July 7, bringing essential healthcare and other government services closer to communities.

The nationwide initiative, supported by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga, the Butuan City Health Department, PhilHealth, and other government agencies, helped reduce the financial burden on families by providing accessible and free healthcare services, while advancing the government’s Universal Health Care agenda as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The caravan offered free medical consultations, laboratory services, mental health counseling, HIV counseling, and medicines, and deployed doctors and medical technologists to ensure efficient, quality healthcare delivery.

DOH-CHD Caraga also distributed 32 medical assistive devices to persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and individuals with mobility limitations. These included six adult wheelchairs, two pediatric wheelchairs, two walkers, three crutches, 10 single canes, and nine quad canes, enabling beneficiaries to regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

Doctor Sadila K. Raki-in, regional director of DOH-CHD Caraga, shared that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to every Filipino, particularly those from vulnerable and underserved communities.

“Through LAB for All, we are bringing healthcare closer to the people. This initiative supports the realization of Universal Health Care by ensuring that every Caraganon can access free essential health services. Our goal is to make quality healthcare equitable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of every community,” Raki-in said.

One of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the free services, saying the initiative provided much-needed relief to families struggling to afford healthcare. This is a big help to those in need because the medical consultations, laboratory services, and medicines are free. We no longer have to spend on our medical check-ups.

The LAB for All caravan also demonstrated the whole-of-government approach by bringing together national government agencies and private-sector partners to provide integrated public services in one venue.

PhilHealth Caraga, headed by Regional Vice President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez, reaffirmed its support for the LAB for All program, underscoring its commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare and reducing the financial burden on Filipino families.

By bringing health, social, livelihood, education, and financial services together in a single, accessible venue, the LAB for All caravan enabled Caraganons to receive comprehensive government assistance. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte) 

Thursday, 9 July 2026

DA brings agriculture services, livelihood aid to Caraganons through LAB for All caravan

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Caraganons have gained greater access to food security support, livelihood opportunities, and essential government services as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga joined the LAB for All (Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat) caravan led by First Lady Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos on July 7, here.

Residents benefited from the initiative through the distribution of vegetable seeds, fruit tree seedlings, other planting materials, and information guides on proper crop production, encouraging households to establish backyard gardens and contribute to the government’s food security efforts.

Further strengthening rural livelihoods, DA Caraga turned over a P238,500 chicken layer project to the Madagwat Na Bangon-Bangon Farmers Association under the Livelihood Opportunities and Viable Enterprise for Agricultural Farming Communities (LOVE) Program of the DA’s Office of the Secretary. The assistance is expected to provide members with an additional source of income while helping increase the local supply of eggs.

The turnover was led by DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate Jr., together with Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Reyes and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Marco Antonio Morido.

Beyond providing free medical consultations, laboratory services, medicines, and other health interventions, the LAB for All caravan also served as a one-stop government service platform, bringing various national government agencies together to deliver programs and services directly to communities.

The initiative supports the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in making government services more accessible while advancing food security, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting inclusive development under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from DA Caraga)