BONG GO ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERED BARANGAYS DURING ORIENTATION OF NEWLY ELECTED BARANGAY OFFICIALS OF GOVERNOR GENEROSO, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go praised the dedication of newly elected barangay officials of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, and highlighted their critical role in grassroots governance during their orientation course at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City on Saturday, April 20.

The orientation, organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Academy, aimed to empower barangay officials with knowledge and tools for effective local governance and community service.

In his speech, Go emphasized the importance of the barangay officials as a link between the local communities and the rest of government. He stressed that these officials are often the first point of contact for citizens seeking assistance.

“Kayo ang tulay sa pagitan ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng national government. Sa oras ng pangangailangan, kayo ang unang takbuhan ng ating mga kababayan,” he remarked.

The senator encouraged the barangay officials to harness their abilities and authority to foster true change within their jurisdictions, asserting that every project and program could significantly impact positive change starting at the barangay level.

“Gamitin ang inyong kakayahan at kapangyarihan upang magdala ng tunay na pagbabago sa inyong nasasakupan,” Go urged.

Highlighting legislative efforts to support barangay governance, Go spoke about his filed measure, Senate Bill No. 197, the Magna Carta for Barangays, to ensure sufficient support for barangay officials, including salaries and allowances akin to regular government employees.

Additionally, he mentioned his filed Senate Bill No. 427, the Barangay Health Workers Act of 2022, which proposes a monthly honorarium and a comprehensive package of benefits for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), aligning with the benefits outlined in Republic Act No. 7883. These include coverage from the Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Pag-IBIG Fund.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, a key focus of Go’s address was his initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and promoting community development across the region. These include the continuous operations of Malasakit Centers, an initiative spearheaded by Go that seeks to streamline access to government medical assistance for Filipinos.

“Kung kinakailangan dalhin ang inyong pasyente dito sa Davao (City), operasyon sa puso or bypass, maganda ang gamit natin dito. Last month, na-inaugurate namin ang kanilang cath lab, pwede na angiogram at bypass dito, hindi na kinakailangan dalhin sa Manila,” he shared.

Currently, 163 Malasakit Centers nationwide have helped more than ten million particularly poor patients.

Under Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, Malasakit Centers shall provide convenient access to medical programs offered by concerned agencies, particularly for poor and indigent patients under one roof inside qualified public hospitals by the law.

The senator also detailed the establishment of Super Health Centers throughout the country, an initiative aimed at bolstering primary healthcare services, consultation, and early disease detection.

“It’s a medium type of a polyclinic… pwede na d’yan ang panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray… d’yan na ang primary care ng Universal Health Care, d’yan na ang Konsulta package ng PhilHealth dahil lahat ng Pilipino ay miyembro ng PhilHealth, d’yan na magpacheck up,” shared Go.

“Ang ikinaganda niyan, d’yan na ang ultrasound, early disease detection, at ma-decongest ang hospital dahil d’yan na kayo magpa-check up… ‘Yan ang Super Health Center,” he added.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 14 in Davao Oriental.

He also supported various projects in the province as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, including the construction of a multipurpose building in Barangay Sulop, Governor Generoso.

Go then expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the local officials and reiterated his commitment to aiding the development of barangays in Governor Generoso.

“Asahan na palaging bukas ang aking opisina na tumulong, sa abot ng aking makakaya, para sa mga proyekto at programa na mas magpapaunlad pa sa mga barangay sa Governor Generoso. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, nandito ako para magserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” he assured.

The senator concluded his address by motivating the officials to lead transformative changes, reminding them of their significant impact on their communities and the country at large.

“Magtulungan tayo para sa mas maunlad na kinabukasan ng ating mga komunidad. Mabuhay ang mga barangay ng Governor Generoso! Mabuhay tayong lahat!”