About 4,000 Ilonggos are expected to benefit from government services and assistance during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” program in Iloilo on Sept. 14, in celebration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s birthday.

The Iloilo provincial government will host the event at the provincial capitol, with simultaneous activities in Sta. Barbara, Ajuy, Pototan, Passi City and at SM City Iloilo.

Nereo Lujan, head of the Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office, said Thursday that several national government agencies have committed to provide services and assistance to residents.

“It’s been a yearly celebration, organized to honor the President,” Lujan said in an interview. “There have been national government agencies that have committed to support the program.”

Participating agencies include the departments of Labor and Employment, Agriculture, Social Welfare and Development, Agrarian Reform, Education, Justice, the Interior and Local Government, and Information and Communications Technology, as well as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, National Commission of Senior Citizens, Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., and Land Transportation Office.

Lujan said some agencies will also distribute assistance to qualified beneficiaries during the event.

“They will make available all their services. During the program, some of these agencies will distribute their assistance to some of their beneficiaries,” he said.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin will represent Marcos at the Iloilo event.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs will hold a separate passport and authentication service on Sept. 12 for 70 pre-registered applicants at its consular office on the third floor of Robinsons Place Iloilo. (PNA)