PIDDIG CARES. Residents of Piddig, Ilocos Norte queue at the Piddig Cares Quick Action Center to avail of its healthcare services. This year, the municipality turned over PHP3.1 million to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center as a trust fund. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - Piddig municipality in Ilocos Norte has turned over PHP3.1 million to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City as a trust fund for patients under the town's Cares program. Now in its 9th year, the "Piddig Cares 24-7" program was created to ensure the health and wellness of the residents by appropriating funds for healthcare services. Data from the Batac hospital showed that over 1,698 poor patients from Piddig have benefited from the program and availed of hospital assistance worth over PHP4.8 million. Mayor Georgina Guillen vowed to continue investing in health care, hoping the town's social protection and health programs will be sustained t