Cagayan Freeport — For 26 years, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) continues to provide health services and job opportunities to residents in Santa Ana, Cagayan, and nearby communities.

Pursuing this commitment, CEZA conducted a medical and optical mission on February 23 at the Municipal Gymnasium amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and was able to assist more than 300 indigent residents of the 16 barangays of Santa Ana.

Secretary Raul Lambino, CEZA Administrator and CEO said the conduct of medical-optical mission was part of the agency’s 26th Founding Anniversary celebration, and it strictly followed the health protocols set by the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“CEZA continuously aims to promote healthy living, well-being and provide employment opportunities to improve the quality of life of the people in the Freeport and the region,” Secretary Lambino said who ordered his staff in Santa Ana and Tuguegarao to arrange the free medical- optical mission.

The free services include blood-pressure reading, free medical and pediatric consultation and eye examination from the medical doctors of Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Rural Health Unit -Santa Ana, and provision of free medicines, vitamins for primary health, and eyeglasses among others.

Aside from the doctors from PHO and RHU, private medical practitioners who are bonafide residents of the town — also joined the mission.

Despite the dangerous situations brought by COVID-19, CEZA employees in Santa Ana and Tuguegarao offices and the health workforce were able to accomplish their mission for Cagayanos.

Job Fair

Another highlight of CEZA’s anniversary celebration was the conduct of a job fair on the same day and venue of the medical-optical mission.

The investment agency conducted this in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its locators aimed to provide jobs to residents in the Freeport and nearby communities, particularly those who lost their income source to the pandemic.

More than 200 job seekers have participated and are expected to be hired by 15 companies joined in the job fair.

Among these companies are CEZA locators such as Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company Limited, North Cagayan Gaming and Amusement Corporation, IKONA Drafting Services Philippines, Nassim Hotel and Beach Resort, Country Inn Hotel, Pacific Solutions Management Consultancy Services, and Cagayan Holiday Leisure & Resort Corporation

“CEZA is committed to providing livelihoods for Cagayanos and so we are conducting this annual job fair for the benefit of all the people in Cagayan,” the CEZA chief said.

The Marine Batallion Landing Team-10 / Naval Task Group Fleet Marine Cagayan also participated during the anniversary by providing free haircuts to residents in nearby villages.

(With photos and inputs from Charlotte Collado- Media Relations Cagayan)

Revival of Tourism

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government of Santa Ana headed by Mayor Nelson Robinion on February 19, for a P1.603 million worth of domestic tourism projects.

The project aims to facilitate the revival of local tourism in Santa Ana, Cagayan and for the implementation of tourism programs and projects in preparation for the reopening of tourism in the area.