The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided aid to struggling residents in Pangil town in Laguna on Wednesday, 8 March.
In his video message to the residents during the activity, Go reiterated his commitment to helping vulnerable sectors and providing solutions to their problems.
“Ako naman po, gusto kong makatulong sa inyo, makapagbigay ng solusyon sa inyong mga problema, makatulong sa mga proyekto rito, at makapag-iwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” said Go.
“Tao lamang kami, napapagod rin po kami. Pero ‘pag nakikita namin kayong masaya, nawawala po ang aming pagod. Iyon po ang totoo,” he added.
An adopted son of CALABARZON, Go also expressed his gratitude to all of the local officials for their continued efforts to ensure that their constituents are well-supported.
During the activity held at Residencia Building in Pangil Municipal Hall, Go’s team distributed masks, snacks, and vitamins to 200 indigent residents. Additionally, they provided select individuals with a bicycle, pairs of shoes, cellular phone, watch, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided the beneficiaries separate cash aid under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Aside from his work in the Senate, Go has been actively involved in various humanitarian activities. Through his initiatives, Go hopes to address the needs of the most vulnerable sectors of society and help them overcome the challenges they face.
Meanwhile, advocating for better access to quality healthcare services, Go advised the residents to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers in the province located at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City.
“Ako po ang chair ng Committee on Health sa Senado. Ang aking advocacy po ay health. I-improve ‘yung healthcare system natin, karagdagang mga specialty center. ‘Yung mga Malasakit Center po, mayroon na tayong 156 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo,” Go told the beneficiaries.
Designed to assist particularly poor and indigent patients, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together government agencies with medical assistance programs, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored.
Aside from Malasakit Centers, Go is also pushing for the construction of more Super Health Centers nationwide, especially in rural areas.
Services in the Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Through Go’s efforts and the support of his fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated under the 2022 national budget for the construction of some 307 Super Health Centers. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he was likewise successful in pushing for additional funds under the 2023 budget to support the construction of 322 SHCs in other parts of the country.
In 2022, Go supported the construction of Super Health Centers in the province, particularly in the cities of Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, San Pedro, and Sta. Rosa; and in the towns of Alaminos and Mabitac.
This year, more Super Health Centers were funded in San Pablo City, and in the towns of Sta. Maria, Los Baños, and Calauan.
To help boost economic growth and improve the delivery of public services in the province, the senator also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Maria; construction of slaughterhouses in Mabitac, Nagcarlan and Pagsanjan; and construction of public markets in Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan and Rizal.
Other projects he supported are the construction of a farm-to-market road and a multipurpose covered court in Paete, construction of a drainage canal in Cabuyao City, repair of the primary road inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City, and installation of street lights in Lumban and Magdalena.
Last 7 March, Go personally provided assistance to struggling residents, composed of indigents and typhoon victims, in San Pedro City, Laguna after he inspected the Super Health Center in the town.