SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to recovering Typhoon Paeng victims in Catbalogan City, Samar, on Tuesday, March 26. The relief activity was held at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, where 13 recipients received snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, grocery packs, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, through the initiative of Go and in coordination with Mayor Dexter Uy, representatives from the National Housing Authority likewise extended emergency housing assistance to help the victims rebuild their homes.
“Mga kababayan, nandirito rin ang ating NHA para sa Emergency Housing Assistance Program o EHAP. Bibigyan kayo ng pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa. Ito ‘yung programa na matagal ko nang isinulong para patuloy na matulungan ang mga nasunugan, binagyo, nabahaan, na nasiraan ng mga bahay para makapagtayo ulit at makabangon muli,” said Go in a video message.
Meanwhile, Go continues to push for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 188, also known as the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Act. This bill aims to establish a specialized agency committed to developing communities that are adaptable, disaster-resilient, and secure.
“Itong departamento na ito, bago pa dumating ang bagyo, mayroon na hong makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs, preposition of goods at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy kaagad, maibalik kaagad sa normal ang pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin. ‘Yan po ang layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience,” Go explained.
Go then urged those with medical concerns to seek assistance at the nearest Malasakit Center at Samar Provincial Hospital in the city, where they can easily access various medical support programs provided by the government.
The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce the patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses. According to the Department of Health (DOH), over ten million impoverished Filipinos have received assistance from 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
“Sa mga pasyente dito, hindi niyo na po kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” assured Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
In line with his appeal to Filipinos to prioritize their health, Go mentioned that he continues to push for the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide.
Super Health Centers offer basic services, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, through which remote patient diagnosis and treatment is possible.
Over 700 Super Health Centers are funded through Go’s initiative and with the support of DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and his fellow lawmakers. In the province alone, there are six areas for Super Health Centers as identified by the DOH.
As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go remains steadfast in advocating for additional projects and initiatives to benefit local communities. Among these, the senator supported the construction of multipurpose buildings, road improvements, and the Catbalogan City Sports Complex.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Diyos,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
