Amid the inclement weather, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday led the “All-in-One Bayanihan” community outreach activity in Balabac, Palawan, reaffirming the Marcos administration’s commitment to deliver essential services to remote communities.
The initiative seeks to deliver free services and aid to communities in need. Go Share Philippines spearheaded it in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Balabac, Balabac District Hospital, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Tactical Operations Wing West of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
In his speech, the Defense Secretary emphasized the government’s long-term commitment to improving healthcare, infrastructure, and education in Balabac.
“What we want is to launch a real health center here that operates daily. You will no longer have to wait, the mayor will no longer bring you to Puerto (Princesa),” Teodoro said in a mix of English and Filipino.
According to the Department of National Defense (DND), donations were turned over during the event, including Project Aral Kits from National Book Store, food packs from Century Pacific Foods – RSPO Foundation, water filters from Waves for Water, and wheelchairs from Go Share Philippines.
During the activity, the DND chief highlighted the AFP’s key role in reaching remote areas and reiterated the government’s duty to protect and uplift its most distant communities.
“You are the ones who live far away, you are the ones who need the government’s help. Among the population, the most remote areas are where the government should show up and make its presence felt,” Teodoro concluded.
