SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of Pangasinan, in coordination with the provincial government personally provided additional support to various impoverished residents composed of farmers affected by typhoons and Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) graduates on Thursday, November 28.
The outreach held in Bayambang underscores the senator’s unwavering commitment to uplifting affected sectors through direct government support.
“Hindi ko po pinalampas ang araw na ito para makatulong po sa inyo. Kanina po marami ang nagpapasalamat sa akin dahil natulungan sila ng ating mga programa. Pero sa totoo lang po, ako po ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil sa pagkakataon na inyong ibinigay sa akin upang makapag serbisyo sa inyo,” Go said.
“Ang maiaalay ko lang po sa inyo ay ang aking kasipagan sa pagtatrabaho dahil bisyo ko na po ang magserbisyo,” he added.
A total of 1,000 beneficiaries received grocery packs, snacks, meals, vitamins, shirts, fans, basketballs, and volleyballs from Senator Go. There were also select recipients of shoes, bicycles, mobile phones, and a watch.
Meanwhile, through the collective efforts of Senator Go, Governor Monmon Guico and the local government of Bayambang, led by Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao, each qualified beneficiary received financial support.
In line with his advocacy for disaster resilience, Senator Go has pushed for his filed Senate Bill No. 188, known as the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Act. This proposed bill seeks to establish a dedicated agency focused on creating adaptive and resilient communities.
He further stated that if enacted into law, the DDR should prioritize three key areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery with improved building practices.
Go is also the principal author and one of the co-sponsors of SBN 2451 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which seeks to establish mandatory evacuation centers in localities across the Philippines if enacted into law. This bill was recently approved on the third and final reading in the Senate.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and a health reforms crusader, Go also encouraged those with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center at the Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales and Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, where they can access government aid to cover their medical expenses.
An initiative of Go aimed at providing accessible healthcare assistance to all, particularly for poor and indigent patients, the Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that house all concerned agencies with available medical assistance programs.
The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate in 2019. Since then, it has been established in 166 Department of Health-run hospitals and has benefitted more than 15 million particularly poor and indigent Filipinos.
As part of his unwavering commitment to bolster the locality’s development, Go, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the Construction of Multi-Purpose Building and Construction of Amaconsiling-Manambong Bridge in Bayambang.
He then recognized local officials for their untiring service. Among them were Congresswoman Rachel Arenas, Governor Monmon Guico, Vice Governor Raul Lambino, Board Member Sheila Baniqued, Board Member Vici Ventanilla, Vice Mayor Ian Sabangan, among others.
“Tawagin niyo lang po akong Kuya Bong Go. Kasama ng mga lingkod bayan na narito, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.
On the same day, Go attended the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Balungao. He was also a Keynote Speaker at the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) 98th National Assembly.
