DESPITE ABSENCE OF BUDGET VICE GOV. LACBAIN CONTINUES WAR AGAINST POVERTY IN ZAMBALES

Subic, Zambales. Zambales vice governor Ramon G. Lacbain II and the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation with the assistance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office conducted a free circumcision project last May 28, 2006 at Sitio San Lorenzo, Brgy. Sto. Tomas Subic, Zambales.

About thirty (30) young males from 6-14 years old benefited from this project. According to one parent, “we are thankful to this project because we were able to save about P1,000.00 – P1,800.00 if we brought of sons for circumcision to private medical doctors”.

Medico-Legal Officer of James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City Dr. Rolando Marfel Ortiz II was the one who conducted the free circumcision assisted by nursing student Irene Figueroa, pharmacy student Randall Ortiz and nursing graduate Jestoni Baquiran.

This community outreach project of vice governor Lacbain was also made possible with the full support and cooperation of barangay council members of Brgy. Sto. Tomas in Subic, Zambales and the members of the board of directors of San Lorenzo Association as well as all the staff of the vice governor’s office of Zambales.

Last April 9, 2006 the first free circumcision project of vice governor Lacbain in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo and the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation was conducted with thirty (30) young male patients from 6-16 years old. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office also assisted this project with medicines.

“Despite the absence of budget in the vice governor’s office, we will do our best to continue serving the people of Zambales through our community outreach projects in partnership with non-government organizations and the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation”, according to vice governor Lacbain II whose budget for 2006 of about P2.6 million was transferred by the provincial board to the governor’s office.

Vice governor Lacbain is left with about P100,000.00 budget for his office for the remaining eight (8) months of 2006 while governor Vic Magsaysay enjoys about less than P200 million budget in his office including non-office expenses within his discretion.

Today, June 2, 2006, vice governor Lacbain in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo, the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Olongapo City Dental Society, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the barangay council members of brgy. Sto. Tomas and the officers and members of San Lorenzo Association is conducting a medical-dental-legal mission at sitio San Lorenzo, brgy. Sto. Tomas, Subic, Zambales that is expected to benefit more than 200 medical patients and about 50 dental patients from indigent families