ADVOCATING FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION, BONG GO JOINS GIFT-GIVING FOR DAYCARE STUDENTS IN CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of both the Senate Committees on Youth and on Health, brought joy to 1,500 daycare students and their parents in Calasiao, Pangasinan, on Friday, December 13.

The senator, an adopted son of the Pangasinan, joined a gift-giving program organized by the local government, underscoring his steadfast support for Filipino youth and the importance of accessible education and health services. The event coincided with the Puto Calasiao Festival.

Senator Go, joined by his Malasakit Team, personally distributed food packs containing snacks, stickers, and other items for the children, as well as giveaways such as shirts for parents. Raffle prizes, including a bicycle, basketballs, volleyballs, and a cellphone from Go, added excitement to the event. The local government unit of Calasiao, led by Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay, also distributed toys and snacks.

“Kahit simpleng pagbibigay ng pagkain at laruan, malaking bagay na ito para sa mga bata. Alam kong hirap ang marami sa atin, kaya sinisigurado kong makakarating sa inyo ang tulong mula sa inyong lingkod,” Senator Go said.

The event was made possible through the cooperation of local leaders, including those present such as Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Mayor Macanlalay, Vice Mayor Nestor Gabrillo, and ABC president Patrick Caramat. The senator expressed gratitude for their continued support in addressing the needs of their communities.

“Ang mga lider ng Pangasinan, lalo na sa Calasiao, ay kasangga ko sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin. Salamat sa inyong tiwala at suporta,” he added.

In a speech, Mayor Macanlalay extended his heartfelt gratitude to Go for his unwavering support to the municipality and its residents.

Reflecting on his early days as mayor, Macanlalay recounted his visit to Senator Go’s office. “Nung ako po ay naupong mayor, ako po ay bumisita sa opisina ng ating minamahal na senador… Alam n’yo po, napakatahimik. Gusto lang talaga nilang magserbisyo at makarating ang tulong nila sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

The mayor highlighted several instances of Senator Go’s assistance, including the provision of financial support for medical expenses. “Nagbigay po sila ng assistance para sa mga na-ospital nating mga kababayan. Nagbigay po sila… para sa bayan natin,” Macanlalay noted.

“Problema natin kung saan tayo kukuha ng pinansyal na tulong. Nagdagdag ulit ang ating minamahal na Senator Bong Go (ng tulong para sa mga maysakit) for next year,” he announced.

Macanlalay also lauded Senator Go’s responsiveness during times of disaster. “Tuwing may mga dumarating na sakuna ay nagpapadala ng mga tao at mga tulong ng mga pang-relief goods ang ating minamahal na Senator Bong Go,” he said.

The mayor concluded his speech by urging the community to continue supporting Senator Go’s efforts to serve the people.

Meanwhile, Senator Go highlighted his legislative priorities focused on enhancing access to education and healthcare.

Among the laws he co-sponsored and co-authored are Republic Act No. 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System to reach underserved communities; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” ensuring students are not hindered from taking exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006, which waives college entrance exam fees for qualified students in private institutions; and RA 11997, also known as the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” increasing the teaching supply allowance for public school educators.

The recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act also reflects Go’s commitment to protecting Filipinos’ dignity during crises. The law, which he co-sponsored and co-authored, provides temporary financial relief for students with outstanding loans during calamities.

Go also co-authored Senate Bill No. 1360, which seeks to expand the tertiary education subsidy under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, enacted during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

He also reminded attendees about his ongoing health reform crusade, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Centers nationwide. Senator Go emphasized the importance of preventive health care, especially for children.

“Mahigit 15 milyong Pilipino na po ang natulungan ng Malasakit Centers ayon po yan sa datos ng Department of Health (DOH). And with the establishment of more Super Health Centers and bolstering the operations of Malasakit Centers, we can bring medical services even closer to the people,” Go added.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, brings together representatives from concerned agencies to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. In Pangasinan, Malasakit Centers are located at Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales and Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.

Meanwhile, funding has been secured to establish over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide to bring primary care to the grassroots, thanks to collaborative efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units.

Go is also one of the authors and principal sponsors of Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers in existing DOH regional hospitals.

As the event concluded, Senator Go called on parents and guardians to continue supporting their children’s education and well-being. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and local communities to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

“Magkaisa tayo para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Ang pagtutulungan ng bawat isa ang magbibigay sa kanila ng magandang kinabukasan,” he remarked.

On the same day, Senator Go also assisted poor residents in Calasiao. He then proceeded to Lingayen, where he joined the Barangay Captains’ Day with Gov. Monmon Guico and other officials.