SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go‘s office continued its ongoing typhoon relief and recovery efforts in Negros Occidental this week particularly in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto on Thursday, February 15.
This latest outreach follows Go’s ongoing efforts throughout the province. His office provided support to the towns of Ilog, Candoni, and Hinoba-an on February 13, and on February 14, assistance was extended to the town of Pontevedra.
Go’s Malasakit Team held the relief activity at the municipal gymnasium where 294 typhoon victims received snacks, grocery packs, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. Select beneficiaries also received pairs of shoes and a mobile phone.
Meanwhile, through Go’s initiative, the National Housing Authority extended emergency housing assistance to qualified beneficiaries to help them further rebuild.
“Itong programa ng NHA na pambili ng mga materyales tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa ay isinulong ko noon at patuloy na sinusuportahang maimplementa ngayon upang mas marami pang mga biktima ng sakuna ang makapagpatayo ng maayos na bahay at makabangon muli mula sa trahedya,” he said.
“Tutulong ako sa kapwa ko Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go added.
Moreover, Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassion and service to communities in need, underscored the need for better disaster resilience and recovery mechanisms as he highlighted his proposed bill, Senate Bill No. 188, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience.
Last year, Go also co-sponsored and is one of the authors of SBN 2451, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. The bill was primarily sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Initially based on the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill previously filed by Go, this legislation seeks to create permanent and fully-equipped evacuation centers nationwide.
Go then expressed his gratitude towards Congressman Ginggo Valmayor, Governor Eugenio Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Mayor Mac Dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Nonoy Dela Cruz Jr., and councilors, among others, for their service to their constituents.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go mentioned that a Malasakit Center at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City is offering government medical assistance for those in need.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program. According to DOH, the Malasakit Centers have benefitted more or less ten million Filipinos, with 159 centers established nationwide.
He then shared that Super Health Centers will be established in 31 key areas in Negros Occidental. Through the collective efforts of the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Go likewise principally sponsored RA 11564, which led to the establishment of the Bacolod City General Hospital. This law was officially signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2021.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance aims to deliver enhanced public service to the province as he supported the construction of a revetment, 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 Go pushed for include constructing multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City, road maintenance in Bago City, and constructing a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
