‘PATULOY AKONG MAGMAMALASAKIT AT MAGSESERBISYO SA INYO’ — BONG GO ASSISTS THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN SAN JUAN, LA UNION

On Tuesday, June 25, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally assisted indigent residents in San Juan town in partnership with the provincial government of La Union.

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.

“Ako po’y nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Ako po’y hindi politiko. Magtatrabaho lang po ako para sa kapwa ko Pilipino. At kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas pupuntahan ko kayo basta kaya po ng aking katawan at panahon. Iyan naman po ang ipinangako ko sa inyo, magseserbisyo po ako sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go expressed.

Held at San Juan Gymnasium, around 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 shoes, bikes, a watch, and cell phones.

Furthermore, through the initiative of Senator Go, in partnership with the provincial government led by Governor Raphaelle Ortega-David, the struggling residents received financial support from the government.

In support of La Union, Senator Go principally sponsored measures to improve healthcare delivery in the province such as Republic Act No. 11724, which increases the bed capacity of the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City; RA 11559, otherwise known as An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Naguilian District Hospital; and RA 11562 or An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Rosario District Hospital.

To further support the development of San Juan, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the various initiatives and projects in coordination with Mayor Arturo Valdriz, such as the Rehabilitation of Caarusipan Road and the Construction of Calincamasan Road.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Mannix Ortega welcomed and thanked the Senator, expressing deep appreciation for his visit and ongoing commitment to public service.

“Apo Senator, nagpapasalamat po kami sa during po nung pandemic, kayo po ang may pinaka marami na naibigay dito sa San Juan. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyo at hinding hindi po namin kayo makakalimutan. Mahal na mahal po kayo ng mga taga San Juan,” Vice Mayor Ortega expressed.

Moreover, Go praised the efforts of local officials, led by Congressman Paolo Ortega, Governor Raphaelle Ortega-David, former Governor, now Provincial Administrator Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, Mayor Arturo Valdriz, and Vice Mayor Mannix Ortega, 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 Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center which he visited earlier that day.

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 attended the ribbon cutting of the Super Health Center in San Fernando City. He was also the keynote speaker during the 43rd Commencement Exercises of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- Mid La Union (DMMMSU-MLUC) Campus in San Fernando City.