BONG GO ASSISTS THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN BISLIG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR: ‘ILAPIT ANG SERBISYO NG GOBYERNO SA MGA NANGANGAILANGAN NITO’

On Tuesday, July 2, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, providing essential aid to thousands of residents. The event at the Barangay Mangagoy Gym showcased the senator’s dedicated approach to addressing the needs of marginalized and underserved Filipinos.

In his speech, Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to the poor, underscored the importance of continued government support for Filipinos, particularly the poorest members of society.

“Mahal namin kayo sa Surigao del Sur dahil pantay pantay tayong lahat na Pilipino… Kung anong kinakain ninyo, ‘yun rin ang aking kinakain. Kung anong sinasakyan ninyo, ‘yun rin ang sinasakyan ko… Wala akong arte sa trabaho dahil sanay na ako sa trabaho noon pa. ‘Wag n’yo akong itrato na ibang tao. Lapitan n’yo lang ako, kausapin n’yo ako, mayayakap n’yo,” Go expressed.

“Saan mang sulok ng bansa, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon, ay tutulong ako…nandito ako para magserbisyo sa inyo… para tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya, magsulong ng mga programa, proyekto at batas na makakatulong sa mahihirap, sumuporta sa mga makakapagpaunlad ng inyong lugar, at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he added.

A total of 2,000 beneficiaries received various forms of aid from Go and his Malasakit Team, such as grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, bags, basketballs, and volleyballs. Select recipients have received additional bikes, mobile phones, watches, and shoes.

Furthermore, through Go’s initiatives in partnership with Governor Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel, the community benefited from the local government’s additional financial support to identified beneficiaries.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, also extended his support for several projects in Bislig City to further contribute to its development. Among these projects are the construction of an evacuation center and multipurpose buildings, and the paving of a road along Bocto-Tumanan.

Meanwhile, Governor Pimentel welcomed and thanked the Senator, expressing deep appreciation for his visit and ongoing commitment to public service.

“Una ug labaw sa tanan, magpa-abot ta sa atong kinasing-kasing nga pagpasalamat sa mapaubsanon nga senador, … Christopher “Bong” Go nga gi nganlan nga Mr. Malasakit. Daghan gyud ning nahatag nga ayuda sama sa Malasakit Center, Evacuation Center ug labi na ang MAIP. Salamat sa imong pagsalig ug paghatag ug dekalidad nga sebisyo alang sa mga Pilipino,” Governor Pimentel said.

(“Una sa lahat, pinapa-abot natin ang ating taos pusong pagpapasalamat kay Senator Christopher “Bong” Go na tinaguriang Mr. Malasakit. Marami siyang naitulong sa atin lalo na ang Malasakit Center, Evacuation center, at lalo na ang medical assistance. Salamat po sa inyong tiwala at pagbigay ng dekalidad na serbisyo para sa Pillipino.”)

Moreover, Go praised the efforts of local officials, led by Governor “Ayec” Pimentel, Vice Governor Manuel Alameda, Bislig City Mayor Florencio Garay, Hinatuan Mayor Shem Garay, Lingig Mayor Elmer Evangelio, Barobi Mayor Joey Pama, Tagbina Mayor Glaiza Jane Lanete, and Barangay Captain Aaron Castillo, among others, for their commitment to ensuring their constituents are well-supported.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go offered additional help to the residents needing medical assistance through the Malasakit Center in the province located at the Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Lianga District Hospital in Lianga, and Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. According to the Department of Health, 165 operational centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide.

“Ako na inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos. At ito po ang natatanging bisyo ko, ang magserbisyo sa aking kapwa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go ended.

On the same day, Go also assisted various cooperatives through the Cooperative Development Authority in the city.