CALABARZON ADOPTED SON BONG GO EXTENDS SUPPORT TO THOUSANDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN BIÑAN CITY, LAGUNA

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided support to various impoverished residents consisting of non-pensioner senior citizens in Biñan City, Laguna on Monday, September 2.

Despite the inclement weather, Go was represented by his Malasakit team during the visit. The outreach underscores the senator’s unwavering commitment to uplifting affected sectors through direct government support.

“Our senior citizens are vital to our nation’s progress, yet they frequently encounter hurdles and challenges that we, as public servants, must address. Through initiatives like this, we aim to bridge the gap and provide the support they rightfully deserve,” Senator Go stated.

A total of 2,000 beneficiaries received grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, masks, basketballs, and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes, bicycles, and mobile phones.

Known as Mr. Malasakit, Go acknowledged the significant contributions of the elderly to their families and their communities while underscoring the government’s responsibility to support them, particularly those of the underprivileged. He highlighted the Filipino cultural value of caring for the elderly, stating that giving back to senior citizens is a gesture aligned with Filipino traditions.

“Salamat mga lolo at lola. Sana po ‘yung karamihan sa inyo nasa mabuti po ang kalagayan. Alam ko na mahirap po ang inyong sitwasyon. Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan nyo po ako ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed.

“Kilala naman ang Pilipino sa pag-aalaga ng mga lolo’t lola. Hindi natin pinapabayaan ang mga lolo’t lola natin diba? Hanggang sa pagtanda nila, inaalagaan natin sila. Ito po ay isang paraan upang ipakita natin sa kanila yung pasasalamat, pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal natin sa ating mga lolo’t lola,” he continued.

Meanwhile, through the partnership of Senator Go and the local government led by Mayor Walfredo Dimaguila Jr. and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, each qualified beneficiary received financial support. Go also acknowledged the support of Congresswoman Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat, Governor Ramil Hernandez, Vice Governor Karen Agapay, local councilors, among others.

“Salamat sa mga opisyales na nagmamalasakit po sa ating mga senior citizens. Parati ko pong pinapaalala sa lahat na mahalin po natin ang ating lolo’t lola. Wala po tayo sa mundong ito kundi po dahil sa kanila. At ito po ‘yung panahon na bumawi tayo sa kanila,” emphasized Go.

Go vowed to continue supporting the welfare of senior citizens in the country, especially the indigent ones, as he co-authored Republic Act No. 11916 or the law that doubled the social pension of qualified poor senior citizens from PhP500 to PhP1,000.

The Senator also co-authored and co-sponsored the Republic Act No. 11982, or the Amendments to the Centenarian Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. The law now includes cash gifts for Filipinos aged 80, 85, 90, and 95, amounting to P10,000 each, in addition to the existing P100,000 cash gift for centenarians.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Go emphasized the government’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the contributions of senior citizens to Philippine society. “The amendments to the Centenarian Act reflect our dedication to honor the longevity and contributions of our elderly,” Go remarked.

The law also aims to acknowledge the longevity of Filipinos living healthy and active lifestyles, expanding the benefits to include those reaching significant milestones before becoming centenarians.

Furthermore, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go cited several health initiatives aimed at aiding senior citizens. These include the Malasakit Centers program, which helps reduce hospital expenses for indigent patients including the elderly, and the establishment of Super Health Centers to bring basic health services closer to Filipinos.

“Through these initiatives, we aim to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for our senior citizens,” Go stated. “Our commitment to their well-being is unwavering, and we will continue to push for measures that uplift their quality of life.”

The Malasakit Centers program, a brainchild of Senator Go, aims to streamline and expedite the delivery of medical assistance to indigent patients by consolidating the services of various government agencies under one roof. The program was launched in 2018 and was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.

Currently, the 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide have assisted more or less ten million Filipinos, as reported by the Department of Health. There are two in Laguna located at Laguna Provincial Hospital in Sta. Cruz and at the San Pablo City General Hospital.

Go proudly mentioned that one of his key advocacies is the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, highlighting their critical role in advancing the early detection of diseases through accessible basic health services at the community level.

“Ang Super Health Center po is a medium type of polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ang birthing, panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray at makakatulong po ito sa early detection ng diseases at magbibigay ng primary care. Nandito na rin ang Konsulta program po ng gobyerno. It will help decongest the hospitals dahil pwede ba dito magpa-check up,” Go explained.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 13 in Laguna and one in Biñan which he visited last May.

As the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported various infrastructure and public works projects across the entire Laguna. These include the construction of the multi-purpose building in Rizal, the road and bridge rehabilitations in Calauan and Cavinti, where essential connectivity improvements have been made. In Biñan City and San Pedro City, major flood control and river protection projects to safeguard residential areas and agricultural lands were also built. Community and environmental projects also receive attention, with efforts like street lighting installations in Biñan City and waste management improvements in Bay.

“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit na ang tanging bisyo ay magserbisyo, uunahin ko palagi ang kapakanan at buhay ng aking kapwa Pilipino. Minsan lang tayong dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang kabutihan at tulong ang puwede nating ibigay sa kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon!,” Go said.