SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go dispatched his Malasakit team to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, January 17, to provide assistance to fire victims in the city.
A total of 43 affected households were given financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, snacks, vitamins, and snacks. There were also select recipients of shoes, bicycles, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
“Sa mga nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” said Go in a video message.
“Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang kalusugan ng bawat isa. Ang importante po magtulungan tayo, sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang po kapwa natin Pilipino. Kaya po nandirito ako ngayon para tulungan kayong lahat mga kababayan ko,” he added.
Go emphasized the significance of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021. This Act is primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, which augments the BFP’s proficiency through a decade-long modernization plan, including hiring additional firefighters, procuring modern firefighting equipment, and providing specialized training.
Working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units (LGUs), the BFP shall organize frequent fire prevention campaigns and educational outreach initiatives, particularly in remote and underprivileged areas.
Furthermore, Go extended support to individuals requiring medical attention, urging them to seek help at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City or Margosatubig Regional Hospital. These facilities are equipped with Malasakit Centers that are prepared to aid with their healthcare expenses.
Malasakit Centers function as one-stop shops that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients. These programs are offered by various agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, and there are currently 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that these centers have provided assistance to approximately ten million Filipinos.
Meanwhile, he also continues to push for the establishment of Super Health Centers. Through the collective efforts of the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa Jr., LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024. As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where these Super Health Centers will be established
“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 of diseases, primary care, at ang Konsulta program po ng gobyerno. It will help decongest the hospitals and bring basic health services closer to communities,” Go said.
The Super Health Centers provide essential health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory, x-ray, and 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.
Meanwhile, to help improve the infrastructure development in the province, Go, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Sominot, Tigbao, and Vincenzo Sagun. He also supported the construction of a new two-story public market in San Pablo.
Aside from these projects, Go supported road concreting projects in Sominot, Tabina, and Tambulig. He also supported the construction of an evacuation center in Tigbao. In Tukuran, he supported the construction of the NRJ Camanga-Tabuan-Man-Ilan-Manlayag-NRJ Navalan Road, and the installation of solar streetlights.