‘BISYO KO ANG MAGSERBISYO SA KAPWA PILIPINO’ — BONG GO VISITS VICTORIAS CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL TO AID DISPLACED WORKERS, FIRE VICTIMS

On Sunday, March 24, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Victorias City, Negros Occidental, where he personally extended his assistance to workers displaced by economic challenges and to individuals affected by recent fire incidents. This visit coincided with the culmination of the 26th Kadalag-an Festival.

In his speech, Go expressed his gratitude towards the people of Negros Occidental, emphasizing that it is he who owes gratitute to them for the opportunity to serve.

“Maalala ko po, nandirito kami noong mga nakaraang taon, 2019. Parati naman po ako dito sa Negros Occidental. Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po, ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil ako po’y isang probinsyano na binigyan n’yo po ng pagkakataon na makapag-serbisyo po sa inyo,” said Go.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Hinding hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung tiwalang ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magseserbisyo po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan sa pagta-trabaho dahil ang bisyo ko talaga ay magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat. Iyan po ang aking serbisyo,” he added.

During his visit at the Victorias City Coliseum, Go and his Malasakit Team, in partnership with the local government, distributed grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 500 displaced workers. At the same time, select recipients received shoes, a bicycle, and a mobile phone.

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.

“Tulad nitong TUPAD ng DOLE. Noong panahon ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, ito ay sinuportahan natin na mabigyan ng tulong pangkabuhayan ang ating mga kababayan na nawalan po ng trabaho. Dahil sa pandemya marami po ang nawalan ng trabaho,” he shared.

Moreover, a total of 18 families affected by fire incidents also received financial assistance and grocery packs from Go. Representatives from other government agencies were also present to assess those eligible for their assistance programs for the fire victims.

Furthermore, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography offered to assist those with health concerns through the Malasakit Centers program he initiated.

The program was enacted into law in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11463 which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, streamlines access to medical assistance programs from the DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, aiming to minimize out of pocket expense 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 ten million Filipinos across the nation, according to the DOH.

To further improve the healthcare 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.

“Masaya akong ibalita sa inyo, kayo ang isa sa pinakamaraming Super Health Center sa buong Pilipinas, ang Negros Occidental,” Go said.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.

The senator then acknowledged local officials for their service to their constituents, including Congressman Kiko Benitez, Governor Eugenio Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, and Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, among others.

In his speech, Mayor Benitez shared news about the Super Health Center in the city, which is currently 65% complete. He noted that this project was made possible with the support of Go.

“Maganda ang sinabi ni Senator Bong Go, Sir Philip (Salvador), na hindi nila makakalimutan ang Victorias City, at tutulungan niya ang mga Victorianon, lalo na sa healthcare, at sa ating sports,” he said.

Reflecting on the historical visit of the former president and the unwavering support from Go, Mayor Benitez noted, “Noong 2019 nang dumating ang dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Unang beses sa Negros Occidental, unang beses sa Victorias City. Dito tayo, nanumpa sa PDP-Laban. Puno ang coliseum hanggang sa labas. Hindi namin makakalimutan ang panahong iyon, at ang tulong na ibinigay niyo sa amin at sa aking ama sa Negros Occidental.”

He then expressed his profound gratitude to Go for enabling the city to employ the beneficiaries through the TUPAD Program. “Our deepest gratitude to our Senator Bong Go for making this initiative possible,” he said.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, aims to deliver enhanced public service to the city as he supported the construction and improvement of a multi-purpose building there.

On the same day, Go inspected the Super Health Center in Bacolod City and aided displaced workers there. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the Super Health Center in Victorias City. After which, he participated in the PBA All Star weekend festivities in Bacolod City.

“Alam n’yo, tatlong araw na po akong umiikot. Pero tao lang po ako na napapagod. Pero kapag nakikita ko kayo, lumalakas po ulit (ako) kasi masaya ako kapag nakikita kong masaya ang ating mga kababayan,” Go reflected.

On the previous day, Go was in Ilog town, personally joining the Kisi-Kisi Festival and assisting displaced workers. Lastly, he was in Himamaylan City, where he inspected the Super Health Center and provided relief to more displaced workers.

“Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.