ON Saturday, September 7, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expanded his relief operations to the municipality of Presentacion in Camarines Sur, bringing hope and assistance to those devastated by Typhoon Enteng.
Through a collaboration with Governor Luigi Villafuerte, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed food packs, alcohol, and shirts to a total of 500 families gathered at the covered courts of Barangay Lagha, Barangay Ayugao, Barangay Sirang, Barangay Buenavista, and Barangay Patrocinio. Basketballs and volleyballs were also given to select recipients in line with Go’s advocacy as Chairperson of the Senate Youth and Sports Committees.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, ako ay magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pagasa… sa pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan, malalagpasan natin ang anumang pagsubok. Manatili tayong matatag at positibo sa kabila ng mga hamon,” Go advised in a video message.
Go continues to advocate for stronger disaster management policies. He is pushing for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) with his filed Senate Bill No. 188, aiming to enhance the nation’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
“We should not settle with makeshift shelters for evacuees nor with just having a coordinating council or creating a task force every time disaster strikes. We must continue to improve mechanisms — from coordination among agencies and LGUs, the preposition of goods for relief, evacuation, rescue efforts, and up to rebuilding, recovery, and restoration of normalcy — to further protect lives,” he explained.
Furthermore, he is one of the authors and co-sponsors of Senate Bill No. 2451, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill, which seeks to establish fully equipped mandatory evacuation centers across the Philippines.
“Our goal in promoting these legislative measures is to ensure that our fellow Filipinos are better prepared for any disasters. By working together and showing compassion, we can accelerate recovery from these adversities,” emphasized Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also extended his support to residents facing health concerns and encouraged them to make use of the Malasakit Centers located at Bicol Medical Center in Naga City and the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center in Cabusao, by seeking medical assistance there.
The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go and was signed in 2019 by former president Rodrigo Duterte. It aims to provide convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
There are currently 166 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide, successfully aiding nearly 12 million Filipinos, according to the DOH.
