SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, on Thursday, March 21, has stepped in to provide additional support to workers and community leaders in Pandi, Bulacan, complementing the local government’s initiatives to improve public service delivery especially for the poor and the needy.
During the activity, Go and his Malasakit Team distributed snacks, food packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 1,250 barangay workers, mother leaders, and other indigents at the Barangay Bunsuran 1st Hall. Select recipients received a bicycle, a mobile phone, shoes, and a watch.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataong ibinigay nyo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Hindi po ako politiko na mangangako. Hindi po ako yung politikong ‘ako si ganito….’ hindi po ako gano’n. Magtatrabaho at tutulong lang po ako sa abot ng aking makakaya para sa inyong lahat,” assured Go during his speech.
Meanwhile, the local government provided financial assistance to the beneficiaries through the Local Government Support Fund that Go earlier advocated for to help the town and its people.
As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go pledged support for those facing health issues through the Malasakit Centers initiative, which he started in 2018. This program was institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11463, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go. It provides streamlined access to government medical assistance programs. As reported by the DOH, the program has assisted around ten million Filipinos nationwide.
There are currently 161 Malasakit Centers in operation. In the province, such centers are located at Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City, and Joni Villanueva General Hospital (JVGH) in Bocaue.
“Iisa lang po ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon. Pangalagaan po natin ito. Nandiyan naman po ang gobyerno, matulungin naman si congresssman, si mayor, si vice mayor tutulungan po kayo. Nasasaktan po ako na ayaw nang magpa-checkup dahil takot na magpaospital. Huwag po kayong ganu’n. Please lang, magtulungan po tayo,” he said.
Go also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country, bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots. Through the collective efforts of DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., fellow lawmakers, and local government units, sufficient funds have been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide including 18 in Bulacan.
On the same day, Go also led the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Pandi town, where he also extended assistance to mother leaders and local government workers in attendance.
In his speech, Mayor Roque highlighted the significant impact of Go’s initiatives on the local healthcare infrastructure.
“Si Senator Bong Go, mula sa opisina ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte, nandoon ang pagmamahal sa mamamayan, pagmamahal sa Pilipino,” the mayor began.
He emphasized the senator’s comprehensive understanding of the healthcare needs of Filipinos and his relentless efforts to address these. Reflecting on his personal relationship with the senator, the mayor shared, “Sa tagal naming magkuya nito, kung meron akong isang taong kinatatakutan na magalit sa akin, siya ‘yun… Pero ito kasi, ang ginampanan niya sa akin talaga, kuyang-kuya.”
The mayor then highlighted the transformative power of Go’s work in Pandi, stating, “Imagine ninyo ang bayan ng Pandi, isang maliit na bayan, kumpara sa napakalalaking bayan sa buong Pilipinas. Pero hindi niya nakakalimutan na babaan tayo ng biyaya dito sa ating bayan.”
Gratitude was also extended by Mayor Roque for the Super Health Center in Pandi, a milestone in local healthcare that promises comprehensive medical services to the residents and surrounding areas.
Go also extended his gratitude to local officials present, including Congressman Ambrosio Cruz Jr., Vice Governor Alex Castro, Mayor Enrique Roque, Vice Mayor Luisa Sebastian, Board Member Richard Roque, and other key local officials, for their service.
Vice Governor Castro also extended heartfelt gratitude and recognition towards Go for his significant contributions to the province.
“Si Senator Bong Go, hindi po tayo pinapabayaan dito sa ating lalawigan,” Vice Governor Castro said, expressing his appreciation for the senator’s unwavering support and dedication to the province of Bulacan.
The vice governor reflected on the launch of the 161st Malasakit Center in JVGH on March 11, which Go attended. Castro concluded by thanking Go for his support in realizing these healthcare improvements.
Meanwhile, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance aims to deliver enhanced public service to the province as he supported the improvement of the Pandi District Hospital.
Throughout Bulacan, Go supported the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and the construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, the construction of drainages, the provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso, and many more.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
