By Roselle R. Aquino
Calamba City, Laguna — Throngs of residents flocked to various action centers across Laguna on their opening day, responding to the initiative of Governor Sol Aragones to make medical and burial assistance more accessible to the public.
“These Action Centers were created so that our fellow Lagunenses no longer need to travel all the way to the Capitol just to ask for help,” said Governor Aragones during the launch. “We are bringing the service closer to them—right in their own communities.”
The centers were simultaneously opened in the cities of San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba, and San Pablo, as well as in the municipality of Sta. Cruz.
“We want to make sure that in moments of need—whether it’s a medical emergency or the loss of a loved one—assistance is not far away,” Aragones added. “It should be fast, efficient, and compassionate.”
According to the governor, those seeking medical assistance must bring the following: a valid ID of the beneficiary, medical certificate, clinical abstract, hospital final bill, and a certificate of indigency.
For burial assistance, the requirements include the client’s valid ID, a funeral contract, registered death certificate, and certificate of indigency.
Barangay leaders and local officials welcomed the program, highlighting its direct impact on residents. “This is a huge help for our people, especially those who struggle to travel or wait long for government aid,” said one barangay captain.
Residents lined up early in the morning, grateful for the convenience. “It’s comforting to know that help is now just a few steps away,” said Rosalie De Guzman, a mother of three from Calamba. “This shows that the government truly understands what we need.”
