SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go extended his support to around 800 tricycle operators and drivers and their families during a medical and dental mission in Parañaque City on Sunday, December 29, held in collaboration with Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. and Councilor Raffy “Apiong” dela Peña.
The event, held at the BF Federation of Homeowner Associations, Inc. Park in Barangay BF Homes, aimed to assist members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA), providing vital aid to the city’s hardworking drivers and their loved ones.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go emphasized the importance of health for tricycle drivers, who play a crucial role in the daily lives of their communities. “Ang mga TODA ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng transportasyon; sila rin ang lifeline ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga lugar na mahirap maabot,” Senator Go said. “Kaya mahalaga na pangalagaan natin ang kanilang kalusugan at kalagayan.”
Senator Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Public Services, praised the local government for spearheading the initiative, which aligns with the senator’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and social services.
“Saludo ako sa lahat ng LGU at sa inyong malasakit sa ating TODA members at kanilang mga pamilya. Ang ganitong mga programa ay isang malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan,” he added.
Senator Go also highlighted his ongoing advocacy to provide accessible healthcare services through Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers.
Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, including the one at Ospital ng Parañaque, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has aided more than 15 million Filipinos.
Super Health Center provides primary healthcare services at the community level. Through the concerted efforts of Senator Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers across the Philippines with two in Parañaque City.
While the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which Go also pushed as an author and principal sponsor of RA 11959, aims to bring specialized medical services to Filipinos in all regions.
“Para makapagserbisyo ng maayos ang ating mga TODA, kailangan ay maayos din ang kanilang kalusugan. Kaya’t sa aking makakaya ay mas lalo pa nating paigtingin ang mga programa para sa kalusugan at serbisyong panlipunan,” Senator Go affirmed.
Furthermore, Senator Go provided various forms of aid including basketballs, volleyballs, and shoes to select beneficiaries.
“Ang aking sipag ang isa sa mga pwede kong i-alay sa kapwa natin Pilipino dahil bisyo ko ang mag serbisyo. Have a happy and healthy New Year sa inyong lahat!” concluded Senator Go.
