Capitol to host service caravan on Marcos' 69th birthday

Local

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s birthday celebration will bring government assistance closer to Cebuanos as national agencies and provincial offices converge at the Capitol on Monday, Sept. 14.

The “Handog ng Pangulo, Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” service caravan will offer free assistance, health services, livelihood programs and job opportunities at the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound.

The activity is organized annually by the Office of the President in connection with Marcos’ birthday. He will turn 69 on Sunday, Sept. 13.

The main program will begin at 8 a.m. at the Capitol Social Hall after the flag-raising ceremony and will include an interaction with Marcos through Zoom.

The Capitol Social Hall will also host assistance desks from the Department of Justice, Department of Migrant Workers, Philippine Statistics Authority, PhilHealth and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

Among the assistance to be distributed are five slots each for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) UPLIFT Program, DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program grants and DARE Care.

Tesda will provide 15 scholarships, while the Commission on Higher Education will offer 40 financial assistance slots.

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will provide five Special Program for the Employment of Students beneficiaries, eight Government Internship Program beneficiaries, three Department of Labor and Employment Integrated Livelihood Program beneficiaries and 10 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers beneficiaries.

The Department of Health will distribute 30 mobility aids, while the National Council on Disability Affairs will distribute five persons with disabilities IDs.

The National Housing Authority will assist 12 beneficiaries under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The National Irrigation Administration will also turn over two solar-powered irrigation projects.

The Department of Trade and Industry and Small Business Corp. will award five certificates of loan approval.

TESDA will hold product and skills showcases at the Capitol Dome, while DSWD will distribute UPLIFT assistance at Parking Lot 1.

DOH will conduct medical checkups, while the Department of Agriculture and DTI will hold product displays along the Capitol facade.

DOLE will conduct a local and overseas job fair at the Capitol Basketball Court, which will also host medical checkups and PWD ID distribution.

Other participating agencies include the Bureau of Fire Protection, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, Public Attorney’s Office, NHA 7, PhilPost, Department of Agriculture and various Capitol offices.

The caravan comes as the Presidential Communications Office also marked Marcos’ birthday by expressing hopes for his continued health and completion of his administration’s projects.

Cebuanos seeking assistance, applying for jobs or claiming financial aid are advised to arrive early and bring valid identification and the necessary supporting documents.

Meanwhile, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said the office wished for Marcos to remain healthy and protected as he performs his duties.

“Ang hiling namin, ang wish namin para kay Pangulo mula sa PCO, unang-una ay manatiling malusog ang ating Pangulo at lagi siyang bigyan ng proteksyon ng ating Panginoon,” Castro said.

Castro also called on the President’s critics to help the government improve the country, saying Marcos needs the support of every Filipino.

Marcos is in New Delhi, India, for the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is expected to present Philippine and ASEAN priorities.(MyTVCebu)