In a move to foster healthier Filipino communities, Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF) turned over a fully equipped mobile laboratory to the city government of Bacolod on June 27 at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.

METROBANK Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF) turned over the first of five mobile laboratories in support of the Office of the First Lady’s ‘Lab for All’ project. From left: TESDA Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, MBFI Trustee and Senior Vice President Anjanette Dy Buncio, MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña, MBFI Executive Vice President Philip Francisco Dy, TMPF Assistant Vice President Nelson Manglo, Toyota Motor Philippines Fleet Sales Division Manager Patricia Hechanova, Metrobank Visayas IV Assistant Vice President and area head Ann Soledad Hugo, and MBFI Grants and Partnership Unit head Marievic Mariano.

This initiative supports “Lab for All: Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat,” a project led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, aimed at providing free and quality healthcare services across the Philippines.

The mobile laboratory from MBFI and TMPF is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment which includes an ECG machine, ultrasound machine, X-ray, and a consultation space for specialists.

This mobile laboratory will significantly contribute to improving the accessibility of quality healthcare services for the residents of Bacolod, particularly underprivileged communities lacking adequate medical care.

Four other units are being retrofitted for turnover as this endeavor marks the first of five coasters donated by MBFI and TMPF to support the First Lady's project, underscoring the long-standing commitment of both foundations to providing essential medical services to local communities.

The partnership between MBFI and the Office of the First Lady is a testament to what can be achieved when public and private sectors join hands for a common cause.

By leveraging shared resources and expertise, both institutions work together to bridge gaps in the healthcare system, ensuring that every Filipino has access to essential medical services. This collaboration is more than just a project, but a commitment to the well-being of the Filipino people, fostering a sense of hope and community.

"Our donation today to the city government of Bacolod is a Toyota coaster turned into a mobile laboratory fitted with a state-of-the art medical equipment like an ECG, ultrasound machine, and X-ray. It is one out of the total five donated mobile labs that will provide free diagnostic services under the ‘Lab for All’ program nationwide, and we are pleased that the people of Bacolod have been chosen to be the first beneficiary," MBFI Trustee and Senior Vice President Anjanette Dy Buncio said during the Lab for All program.

"This important collaboration with the public sector underscores the power of partnership under a shared vision. Through this program, our teams from both Metrobank Foundation and Toyota Foundation have found a way to bridge the gap ensuring that even the most underserved areas will receive the medical attention they need," Buncio added.

Since 1979, MBFI has been committed to improving the lives of Filipinos. As the foundation celebrates its 45th anniversary, it continues to prioritize sustainable health solutions that create lasting positive impacts on communities. The success of the Lab for All initiative in Bacolod exemplifies how unity and shared responsibility can address critical health challenges.

MBFI’s dedication to social development, coupled with government’s support, paves the way for more inclusive and comprehensive healthcare solutions, ultimately leading to a stronger nation.

The Lab for All project by the First Lady aims to reach the underserved with free health services.

"We started small. We started with two or three agencies. Now, ang dami-dami po. So, this wouldn’t have been possible without all the government agencies being here today, and all our private sectors, partners. Everytime na pumupunta kami to a different place, dumadami ng dumadami ‘yung mga donations. Thank you very much to all of you for helping us. We’re leaving a van here for Mayor Albee. It’s outside, it’s high-tech. It’s a Toyota van. So, hopefully, ‘pag may calamity, iikot lang ‘yung van to give services. So, this is in keeping with my husband’s mantra that we should bring government services closer to the people and not the other way around,” the First Lady said.

The synergy between MBFI and OFL demonstrates a mutual understanding that health is a fundamental right for all Filipinos.

As the Metrobank Foundation continues to engage partner organizations and empower communities to come together, Filipinos can reap the benefits of quality healthcare in every corner of the country.