On Saturday, March 23, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined the residents of Ilog, Negros Occidental, in the 18th annual Talaba Festival, which forms an integral part of the week-long Kisi-Kisi Festival. The senator led the countdown to commence the much-anticipated eat-all-you-can oyster feast officially.
In an interview during the event, Go expressed his gratitude to Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez and Mayor John Paul Alvarez for the warm invitation to the festival. He also expressed his delight for the local delicacies and the vibrant cultural heritage of the town.
“Napaka-sarap po ng inyong talaba rito at muli, I’m so happy to be here na makadalo sa inyong Kisi-Kisi Festival,” he said.
Go also emphasized the festival’s role in bringing the community together and highlighting the importance of preserving natural resources as part of the town’s cultural heritage and a testament to its thriving tourism and agriculture.
“Isa itong pagdiriwang na hindi lamang nagpapakita ng yaman ng inyong bayan, kundi pati na rin ang inyong kultura at pagkakaisa,” Go expressed.
As part of the festivities, more than 3,000 kilograms of oysters were served, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local fishermen and everyone who contributed to the festival. The senator acknowledged this collective effort, saying, “Sa ating pagsasalu-salo ngayon, inaalala rin natin ang sipag at tiyaga ng ating mga mangingisda at bawat taong nag-ambag sa paghahanda ng pistang ito.”
Beyond the celebrations, Go took the opportunity to discuss his healthcare initiatives, reflecting his commitment to improving the welfare of his countrymen. He spoke proudly of the Malasakit Centers, which aim to consolidate government medical assistance programs under one roof, making it easier for Filipinos to access healthcare services.
“Isinulong ko po ang Malasakit Center noong 2018 at naisabatas ito nung 2019 sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 11463, o ang Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Mayroon ng 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide na handang tumulong sa inyong pagpapagamot lalo na sa mga mahihirap na pasyente,” Go shared as the principal author and sponsor of the Act.
He highlighted the program’s success in aiding over 10 million Filipinos nationwide so far according to DOH. In Negros Occidental, a Malasakit Center is located at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City.
To further improve the provision of primary care, consultations, and early disease detection in communities, Go also advocated establishing Super Health Centers nationwide, including 31 in the province. Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Go, who principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, also worked collaboratively with other legislators for the passage of this landmark legislation. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
Regional Specialty Centers in Negros Occidental are located at the CLMMRH and will further be enhanced to bring more specialized medical services to the region.
Meanwhile, the senator also thanked local officials, including Congresswoman Alvarez, Governor Eugenio Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Mayor Alvarez, and Vice Mayor Genaro Rafael Alvarez, for their service to their constituents.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance aims to enhance public service delivery in Ilog as he supported the construction and concreting of roads in the town. In Negros Occidental, Go supported the construction of multi-purpose public facilities and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Other initiatives that Go pushed for include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City, road maintenance in Bago City, and the construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
To end, Go reminded the residents of their responsibility to nurture and protect the community’s well-being and environment. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, he has advocated for the reinforcement of agricultural support systems, recognizing the vital role of farmers in ensuring food security.
His legislative contributions include being one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11901, or the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022. Go also co-sponsored and co-authored RA 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which focuses on condoning loans accrued by agrarian reform beneficiaries, including interests, penalties, and surcharges.
He also filed Senate Bill No. 2117, targeting comprehensive crop insurance protection for agrarian reform beneficiaries, alongside SBN 2118, which seeks to enhance insurance coverage and services for farmers if enacted into laws.
On the same day, Go also assisted displaced workers in Ilog. He then proceeded to Himamaylan City, where he inspected a Super Health Center and a bridge project he earlier supported. He likewise provided aid to hundreds of displaced workers in the city.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
