By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday extended livelihood assistance to vendors affected by the fire that destroyed the Batac Public Market in Ilocos Norte last month, while providing funds for the market’s rehabilitation.
President Marcos Jr. distributed P20,000 in assistance to the 128 affected stall owners and turned over the P150-million Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the reconstruction of the market.
“Lubos ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pagbangon ng mga apektadong negosyante at manggagawa ng Batac Public Market matapos ang sunog na sumira sa pangunahing gusali ng pamilihan noong Hulyo,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a news release.
“Tiniyak ng pamahalaan ang patuloy na suporta sa pagbangon ng Batac Public Market sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tulong sa kabuhayan sa mga apektadong stall owners at paglalaan ng pondo para sa pagtatayo ng mas moderno, mas ligtas at mas matibay na pampublikong pamilihan,” it added.
The PCO said the government would continue supporting the market’s recovery through investments aimed at revitalizing the local economy and helping affected businesses resume operations.
The fire broke out on July 5 and was fully extinguished the following day, damaging several stalls and leaving vendors with significant losses.
Marcos visits Ilocos Norte hospital, reviews healthcare programs
Meanwhile, the President visited the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) in Laoag City to inspect its outpatient department, new dialysis center, pediatric ward, and other patient wards, as well as assess the implementation of government healthcare programs.
During the visit, Marcos Jr. met with patients, including mothers who had recently given birth and were availing of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Zero-Balance Billing program.
“Pinalalawak ng administrasyon ang access sa dekalidad na pangangalagang pangkalusugan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahusay ng mga pasilidad, pagpapalakas ng referral network, at pagpapatupad ng mga programang tulad ng Zero Balance Billing, Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), at Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) upang mas maraming Pilipino ang makatanggap ng abot-kaya at maaasahang serbisyong pangkalusugan,” the PCO said in a separate statement.
As of Aug. 4, the hospital had served 970 individuals, including an average of 325 outpatients and 125 emergency room patients daily. It also had 95 admitted patients and 425 medical and non-medical personnel providing healthcare services.
Malacañang said the government is also planning to expand the hospital by constructing a new main building with a capacity of at least 150 beds.
