SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team coordinated with Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit and initiated a relief activity for flash flood victims in Maitum, Sarangani Province on Monday, January 8.
“Kailangan nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang patuloy na pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan na naaapektuhan ng mga kalamidad o anumang sakuna, kasama na dyan ang sunog, bagyo, lindol, buhawi, at iba pa,” Go emphasized in a video message.
“Sa kadahilanang ito kaya napakahalaga na palakasin natin ang mga programa na nakatutok sa recovery ng mga apektadong komunidad. Hindi lang relief, kundi pati na rin pagdating sa pabahay, kabuhayan, edukasyon at kalusugan para sa mabilis nilang pagbangon,” he added.
There were a total of 119 flood victims who received grocery packs, shirts, masks, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball from Go’s Malasakit Team at the municipal gymnasium. On the other hand, select recipients received a watch, a mobile phone, and a pair of shoes.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) provided housing assistance to each affected family through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).
“Isinulong din natin na mabigyan sila ng National Housing Authority ng ayuda pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa upang maisaayos muli ang kanilang mga tirahan,” Go said.
“Itong programa ng NHA ay isinulong ko noon at patuloy na sinusuportahang mapondohan ngayon upang mas marami pang mga biktima ng sakuna ang makapagpatayo ng maayos na bahay at makabangon muli mula sa trahedya,” he added.
Go has been promoting a comprehensive national approach to aid communities impacted by different crises and disasters in their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
In the Senate, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 188, aiming to create a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), emphasizing the significance of a concentrated and cooperative approach to disaster management. He cited potential responsibilities of this department, including preparedness before disasters, cooperation with local government units, and post-disaster recovery endeavors.
Furthermore, Go co-sponsored and is one of the authors of SBN 2451, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill, which was primarily sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. This bill, based on the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill previously filed by Go, aims to establish permanent and well-equipped evacuation centers nationwide.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography reminded the residents that they may avail of medical assistance programs from the government through the Malasakit Center located at Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in nearby General Santos City.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance, particularly for indigent patients in public hospitals.
Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have already served around ten million Filipinos, according to DOH.
The Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital successfully held the groundbreaking of its Outpatient Department building last January 4, which the senator supported the funding of.
More so, Go continues to support the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide, including the 12 such centers that will be strategically built in the province.
Last July, Go personally inspected the Super Health Center in Malungon, Sarangani Province.
The Super Health Center is an enhanced version of a rural health unit, offering basic health services such as database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation areas, diagnostic services (including laboratory tests, x-rays, and ultrasounds), pharmacy services, and ambulatory surgical units.
Additionally, these centers provide services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, enabling remote patient diagnosis and treatment.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the concretion of the NHW junction Lebe-Tablao-Sipling-Banawag, NHW Luan-Ticulab-Café and Malalag-Batian provincial roads; construction of a multipurpose building for the public terminal; and construction of a lined canal in Brgy. Malalag in Maitum, Sarangani Province.
