THE 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Miagao, Iloilo joined the “Lab for All, Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat!” outreach program led by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos at the evacuation center in New Lucena, Iloilo, on April 29, 2025.
“We are proud to contribute and to be part of this community outreach program and demonstrate the Army's commitment to serving the people,” said Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos Jr., commanding officer of the 61IB.
Balgos Jr. said every act of service, regardless of its size, significantly contributes to the overall well-being of communities.
The event, designed to deliver essential health and government services, was conducted in partnership with the Department of Health, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHS), Pag-Ibig Fund (Pagibig), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Prominent government officials were present to support the initiative, including Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville, Second District Iloilo Board Member June Mondejar, Third District Representative Mike Defensor, Tesda Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, PCSO Chairperson Judge Felix Reyes, PCSO Director Imelda Papin, DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo, PhilHealth Chairperson Dr. Edwin Mercado, Brigadier General Nhel Richard Patricio of the 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, and Police Colonel Bayani Razalan of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo).
The 61IB contributed by giving free haircuts to 165 beneficiaries as part of the services rendered.
The collaborative event emphasized the government's unified approach to delivering public health and welfare services and its focus on inclusive support across sectors, said the Philippine Army. (Leo Solinap)