BONG GO ASSISTS FIRE VICTIMS IN MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

THE Malasakit Team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to fire victims in Mati City, Davao Oriental on Monday, December 18. 

The relief activity was held at Barangay Central Gym, in coordination with Councilor John Erwin “Don” Montojo. They distributed financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, snacks, shirts, masks, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball to eight families.

“Sa mga nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa,” said Go in a video message.

“Ang importante po magtulungan tayo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang po mga kapwa Pilipino? Kaya po nandirito kami ngayon para tulungan kayong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he added.

Go emphasized the significance of Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021. Primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, this Act augments the BFP’s proficiency through a decade-long modernization plan, including hiring additional firefighters, procuring modern fire-fighting equipment, and providing specialized training, among others.

Go also recently co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2451, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill, which was primarily sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Originating from the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill previously filed by Go, this proposed legislation seeks to create permanent and fully-equipped evacuation centers across the country.

“Alam n’yo, napapanahon na po na magkaroon tayo ng maayos na evacuation center sa bawat lugar. Hindi lang po tuwing puputok ang bulkan, kundi tuwing may bagyo, sunog, lindol o ano pa mang sakuna para komportable, ligtas at mas mabilis makabangon ang apektadong komunidad,” he said.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged the locals to take advantage of the 159 Malasakit Centers for any medical assistance they require.

He highlighted that there is a Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in the city to help with medical expenses. The Malasakit Centers program, initiated by Go in 2018, was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, a legislation he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the centers have already helped more or less ten million Filipinos.

Go also advocated for the creation of Super Health Centers nationwide, aiming to make government medical services more accessible to local communities.

Last November 18, Go personally inspected the Super Health Center in Brgy. Dahican in the city.

Through the collective efforts of Go, DOH, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. There are a total of 12 Super Health Centers funded for construction in the whole of Davao Oriental.

Moreover, Go is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported several projects in the city, including the construction of several roads, the construction of Davao Oriental Sports Complex, the rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park, and the construction of Public Park/Eco-Tourism Park.

In the province, Go supported the rehabilitation of roads in Banaybanay, Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Lupon, Manay, and San Isidro; the construction of multipurpose buildings in Banaybanay and Caraga; street lighting project in Banaybanay; construction of potable water systems in Baganga and Manay; and construction of flood mitigation structures in Caraga, Cateel, Lupon, Manay, San Isidro; and procurement of multipurpose vehicles in Lupon.