Marcos Inaugurates Government Projects in Pampanga

President Marcos inaugurated and turned over a series of agriculture, health, livelihood, and emergency response projects in Pampanga on Friday, ahead of his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), despite inclement weather. In the town of Lubao, Marcos inaugurated a P71-million rice processing system at the Pampanga Food Security Complex. Funded by the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government, the facility is expected to benefit about 30,000 farmers by lowering the cost of milling, drying, packaging, storage, and other postharvest services. The President also distributed P17.7 million in livelihood grants to cooperatives and small enterprises under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program. Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accompanied Marcos during both activities. At the Clark Freeport Zone, Marcos inaugurated the Children’s Medical Center, a specialty facility under the Department of Health’s Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital. In the provincial capital, Marcos turned over 34 patient transport vehicles to local government units across the four regions served by the hospital. He also distributed three new fire trucks to the municipalities of Arayat, Bacolor, and San Luis to strengthen local emergency response capabilities. Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda welcomed the projects, saying they demonstrate the national government’s responsiveness to local needs. The President capped his visit with an inspection of the Angeles Data Center of Converge ICT Solutions Inc. in Angeles City.