“ILAPIT ANG MALASAKIT AT SERBISYO SA MGA NANGANGAILANGANG PILIPINO” — BONG GO ASSISTS HUNDREDS OF VULNERABLE SECTORS IN DAUIN, NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team, provided aid and support to 751 impoverished residents composed of Persons with Disabilities, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Bantay Dagat, Daycare Workers, Indigent College students, and LGBTQ+, in coordination with the local government of Dauin, Negros Oriental, on Monday, October 28.

“Ako naman po ay patuloy na ilalapit ang serbisyong nararapat sa ating mga kababayan dahil ‘yan ang aking bisyo, ang magserbisyo,” said Go, often referred to as Mr. Malasakit in a video message.

“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Kayo po ang dapat kong pasalamatan dahil binigyan niyo po ako ng pagkakataon na makapaglingkod at makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” he added.

At the event held at the Dauin Covered Court, all qualified indigents were given shirts, snacks, and basketballs and volleyballs. Select recipients also received a mobile phone and shoes.

Through the initiative of Senator Go in coordination with the local government led by Mayor Galicano Truita, financial support was given to each qualified beneficiary. Go commended the efforts of local leaders with whom he collaborated to extend support to needy sectors, including Government Manuel Sagarbarria and Councilor Alvin Truita, among others.

Mayor Truita mentioned how Go supported Dauin through his efforts as Senator. “Makanunayon ta nga magpasalamat kay Senator Bong Go kay wa gyud pasag-dii ang atong lugar. Kung naa may senador nga wala pasag-dii ang atong munisipalidad, mao ni si Senator Bong Go. (Lagi po tayong magpasalamat kay Senator Bong Go dahil hindi niya po tayo pinabayaan. Kung may isang senador man po na hindi tinalikuran ang ating munisipalidad, iyon po si Senator Bong Go.)”

Councilor Truita then thanked Go for his continuing help to the residents of Dauin saying, “As we all know, this is not the first time that we received aid from Senator Bong Go. During the pandemic, ang atong mga displaced workers, mga vendors, ug nagka lain lain nga sektor, gi tagaan og assistance ni Senator Bong Go. (…_ang ating mga displaced workers, mga vendors, at iba’t ibang mga sektor ay binigyan ni Senator Bong Go ng assistance._)”

The senator then encouraged them to sustain their efforts for the continued growth and development of Dauin and the entire province of Negros Oriental.

“Prayoridad ko ang pagsuporta sa pro-poor programs at dapat po ay sikapin ng gobyerno na walang magutom na Pilipino. ‘Yan po ang pakiusap ko parati sa kapwa ko lingkod bayan,” said Go.

For the farmers, Senator Go highlighted his authorship of RA 11901, and the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022. This law is a game-changer for rural communities, offering better access to credit for farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural workers, ultimately aiming to boost their productivity and well-being.

Highlighting the crucial role that the LGBTQ+ community and private workers play in society, Go recently signed the committee report for SBN 1264, known as the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act. This proposed legislation aims to promote equality and protect the rights of all individuals by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other status.

Additionally, Senator Go discussed his filed SBN 427, the Barangay Health Workers Act, designed to provide more support to barangay health workers, including monthly honorariums, job security, and skills enhancement, and civil service eligibility opportunities, if enacted into law.

Senator Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended additional support to residents in need of medical care. He encouraged them to utilize the services of nearby Malasakit Centers, specifically the one at Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City.

First established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together concerned agencies to provide particularly poor and indigent patients with access to medical assistance programs.

Through RA 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, qualified public hospitals now feature Malasakit Centers. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers have been established, benefiting over 15 million Filipinos, as per Department of Health reports.

Moreover, as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported various projects in Dauin, such as the construction and improvement of the multi-purpose building, concreting of local access road, installation of solar street lights.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” emphasized Go, known for his dedicated service.