SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go dispatched his Malasakit Team to provide immediate relief to fire victims in Lupon and Mati City, Davao Oriental, on Monday, January 22.
In his video message, Go cited that he continues to advocate for the approval of Senate Bill No. 192, designed to establish a Rental Housing Subsidy Program. This proposed legislation aims to create a housing and social protection program offering disaster victims enhanced and more economical options in the formal housing market. This would be achieved by providing rental subsidies for them from the government, if passed into law.
Go also co-sponsored SBN 2451, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. The bill, primarily sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, aims to establish fully functional evacuation centers nationwide. Go earlier filed the “Mandatory Evacuation Center Act,” demonstrating his unwavering dedication to enhancing the nation’s infrastructure for disaster preparedness infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Go highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored. It mandates the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to implement a ten-year modernization program. This includes acquiring modern firefighting equipment, augmentation of personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among other improvements.
“Modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection is crucial for improving its ability to respond to emergencies and disasters. The government must invest in the modernization of the BFP to ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipinos,” cited Go.
“Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, ang importante ay buhay kayo. Ang gamit po ay napapalitan, ang pera ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” he added.
The relief activity was held at Barangay Bagumbayan Hall in Lupon and Barangay Sainz covered court in Mati City. Go’s Malasakit Team provided relief, such as financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, masks, vitamins, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 15 families. There was also a select recipient of a phone.
As the head of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go mentioned that a Malasakit Center is situated at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City if they may need assistance with their hospital expenses.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings relevant agencies together to provide indigent Filipinos medical aid. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, which has assisted around ten million Filipinos nationwide through its 159 operational centers.
Go also expressed his support for constructing Super Health Centers nationwide, including 14 centers in Davao Oriental.
These centers are designed to offer a wide range of essential health services, database management, out-patient care, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical units. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
Through the collective efforts of Go, Department of Health (DOH), led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. There are also 132 Super Health Centers funded in 2024. As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go principally sponsored and co-authored RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance has been a staunch supporter of various initiatives in the province. These include the rehabilitation of roads in Banaybanay, Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Lupon, Manay, and San Isidro; the construction of multipurpose buildings in Banaybanay and Caraga; street lighting project in Banaybanay; construction of potable water systems in Baganga and Manay; and construction of flood mitigation structures in Caraga, Cateel, Lupon, Manay, San Isidro; and procurement of multipurpose vehicles in Lupon.
In Mati City, Go supported the construction of several roads, the construction of the Davao Oriental Sports Complex, the rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park, and the construction of a Public Park/Eco-Tourism Park.
