SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go deployed his Malasakit Team to M’lang and Midsayap, North Cotabato on Friday, December 8, to distribute aid to small business owners to help them navigate through economic challenges.
In coordination with Board Member Shirlyn Macasarte, the relief activities were held at Poblacion A Covered Court in M’lang and Amadari Resort in Midsayap for a total of 100 micro-entrepreneurs.
They all received snacks, shirts, vitamins, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball while there were select recipients of watches and pairs of shoes.o
Separately, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood grants to the beneficiaries.
“Kung ano man ‘yung matanggap ninyo ngayong araw, para sa inyong livelihood ito. Tuturuan kayong magnegosyo. Gamitin n’yo ‘yung pondo ninyo sa tama. Palaguin ninyo ang inyong negosyo at ‘yung kita ninyo dalahin n’yo po sa inyong mga pamilya,” said Go.
“Mahirap pa ang panahon ngayon. Alam n’yo mas masarap ang pakiramdam ‘pag pinagpawisan ninyo ang inyong pagnenegosyo. Ang maayos na kabuhayan ang isa sa mga magiging susi sa pagginhawa ng buhay ng iyong pamilya,” he added.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, is bent on maintaining strong collaborations with communities to safeguard the health and welfare of Filipinos through the enhancement of accessible and cost-effective healthcare.
He then urged individuals who have health concerns to consider visiting the nearest Malasakit Center located at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City where they can conveniently access medical assistance programs offered by concerned agencies.
The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce the hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses. To date, 159 centers have helped more than ten million indigent patients nationwide, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
“Sa mga pasyente dito, hindi niyo na po kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” assured Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
He also emphasized the importance of prioritizing one’s health and underscored the range of services that will be provided in Super Health Centers that he advocated for which are set to be established across the nation.
Super Health Centers offer basic services such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.
Some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022 through Go’s initiative and with the support of the DOH, local government units, and his fellow lawmakers. Additional funds for 322 Super Health Centers were also allocated to the 2023 health budget.
Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
“It’s a multiyear plan. Halimbawa, kung may problema sa heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, o kahit cancer… ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas ang mga specialty services na ito para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of various bridges in Alamada, Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala, Pikit, and Tulunan; concreting of farm-to-market roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Makilala, Midsayap, and President Roxas; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Kidapawan City, Arakan, Pigcawayan, and Makilala; construction of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; construction of public market buildings in Arakan and Pigcawayan; construction of a slaughterhouse in Arakan; construction of Liga Office in Makilala; and construction of a perimeter fence for the City Government Complex in Kidapawan City.
Additionally, he has supported road concreting in Kidapawan City, Banisilan, President Roxas, and Midsayap; rehabilitation and improvement of the Pikit Main Drainage Canal in Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.
On the same day, Go’s team assisted fire Victims in Midsayap town. Meanwhile, on December 5, Go also assisted small business owners in Makilala town.
