Bong Go brings aid to Himamaylan
SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go, in partnership with the Office of Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson, assisted 500 displaced workers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, March 23.
In his speech, Go emphasized courage and compassion derived from his mixed regional heritage, advocating for a renewed spirit of public service among Filipino leaders and citizens alike.
“I am a Bisaya who hails from Batangas. You know, when you mix Bisaya with Batangueño and sprinkle in some Ilonggo, the result is courage and compassion for fellow Filipinos,” Go said in Filipino.
Expressing gratitude for the trust and support of the people, Go underscored the reciprocal nature of public service.
“Thank you very much to all of you for your trust and support. Don’t thank us. We should be the ones thanking you because you’ve given us the opportunity to serve all of you,” he said.
During the relief activity, Go and his Malasakit Team distributed food packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 500 displaced workers, and shoes, bicycles and mobile phones to select recipients.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) conducted an orientation to extend livelihood support to qualified recipients as part of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.
“Now, our Department of Labor and Employment is also present here. DoLE has a program called Tupad that we have supported since the time of former president Duterte up to now. So, you (disadvantaged and displaced workers) will be provided temporary employment and livelihood assistance,” said Go.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to assist those with health concerns through the Malasakit Centers program he initiated.
The program, principally authored and sponsored by Go and enacted into law in 2019 through Republic Act (RA) 11463, streamlines access to medical assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DoH), Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, aiming to minimize hospital costs for patients as much as possible.
With 161 operational Malasakit Centers, including the one at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City, this initiative has been a success, aiding more than 10 million Filipinos across the nation, according to the DoH.
“Don’t hesitate to approach the Malasakit Centers. Those are for Filipinos. It saddens me whenever people hesitate to seek medical attention because they fear the hospital bills. Take care of your health, and the Malasakit Center is ready to assist you,” he said.
To further improve the health care system and bring primary care, consultations and early disease detection closer to communities, Go also advocated for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide, including 31 in Negros Occidental, with one in Himamaylan that he visited that day.
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DoH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Go also emphasized the importance of RA 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, for which he is the principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate. This Act seeks to create Regional Specialty Centers within existing regional hospitals under the DoH’s authority. In CLMMRH, a total of 11 specialty centers will be developed.
In his speech, the senator also acknowledged local officials for serving their constituents, including Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, Gov. Eugenio Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and Mayor Tongson.
As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go pushed the initiatives for the development of the province and enhanced public service delivery, including the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Himamaylan City.