- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Occidental and the highly-urbanized Bacolod City joined other local government units and agencies in the country in celebrating the 66th birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. this day, with coastal cleanup and other outreach activities.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez said “On this joyous occasion of our President’s birthday, Bacolod and the Province of Negros Occidental join the entire nation in the LAB for All or Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan with a coastal cleanup in Purok Sibucao, Barangay Banago, and a dental mission in Purok Akishola, Barangay Villamonte”.
Benitez said thousands of Bacolodnons participated in the coastal cleanup and dental mission. “Bacolod City is standing in solidarity with the entire country in spreading the spirit of community and compassion on this special day.”
The provincial government of Negros Occidental initiated the LAB for All caravan services in Don Salvador Benedicto, where more than a thousand residents from barangays Bunga, Igmaya-an, Kumaliskis, and Pandanon availed of various government services.
They availed of free medical and dental services conducted by the Provincial Health Office, and circumcision and haircut by the Philippine Army, while the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Technology and Livelihood Development Center held a feeding program and distributed food packs, a Capitol press release said.
The Negros Occidental Language and IT Center and Negros Occ. Scholarship Program accepted applicants for scholarships, while the Provincial Environment Management Office and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist distributed fruit tree and vegetable seedlings.
The beneficiaries also received fresh milk and “Kabir” chickens from the Provincial Veterinary Office, as well as NOCHP health cards.
In Bago, a mangrove planting and coastal cleanup was held in Purok Batad, Barangay Sampinit this morning, participated in by about 200 residents, including cash for work program recipients, members of various fisherfolk associations, purok presidents and tanods from barangays Sampinit, Poblacion, and Calumangan, and CEMO personnel, among others.
They planted some 4,000 mangrove propagules, and collected 15 sacks of residual waste, the city said.
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, and Sangguniang Bayan members, meanwhile, led more than 500 officials and LGU employees in a Pinoy breakfast boodle fight at the public plaza.
A boodle fight was also held in Victorias City among 300 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to celebrate Marcos’ birthday. They also received rice and canned goods.
In Talisay, Mayor Neil Lizares led a medical and dental mission as well as feeding program for about 2,000 beneficiaries at the public plaza, the city Public Information Office said.
More than a thousand rice packs were received by pedicab and motorcab drivers in San Carlos City, also as part of the LAB for All initiative.
In Sipalay City, about 500 endemic tree seedlings were planted at the Barangay 5 Local Conservation Area, which is known as the nesting ground of sea turtles, while some 300 children enjoyed hot meals during the feeding program of the City Health Office-City Nutrition Office./CGC
