IN honor of Women’s Month, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go demonstrated his commitment to supporting the women of Lupon, Davao Oriental. On Friday, March 22, he facilitated the distribution of aid to over a thousand Barangay Women’s Association members, further reinforcing their service in promoting women’s welfare in the community.
The event, organized by Mayor Erlinda Lim, took place at the Lupon Municipal Gymnasium, where Go’s Malasakit Team distributed support through shirts, balls for basketballs and volleyballs, and food packs to the 1,500 attendees.
“Isang mainit na pagbati at pagpupugay sa lahat ng mga kababaihan — mga nanay, mga tita, mga lola — sa ating paggunita ng Women’s Month ngayong Marso. Happy Women’s Month po,” stated Go.
“Wala tayo sa mundong ito kundi dahil sa ating mga ina. Utang natin sa kanila ang ating buhay at kanilang pag-aruga. Walang makakapantay po sa pagmamahal ng isang tunay na ina na handang isakripisyo ang lahat para lang sa kanyang pamilya,” he added.
Go emphasized the critical contributions of Filipino women to the nation’s history, democratic journey, and economic development.
“We recognize and honor the vast contributions of Filipino women in the birth of our Republic, our march towards democracy, and the development of our economy. From the mothers who gave birth to us, the women who fought and died for our independence and the preservation of our democratic ideals, to the members of the workforces essential in our march towards progress,” Go said.
He further highlighted the significant impact of women across various sectors, stating, “Mula sa mga kababaihan na nag-aaruga sa kanilang mga anak, sa mga butihing BHWs na nag-aalaga sa kalusugan ng pamayanan, sa mga kababaihang healthcare workers natin, lalo na noong pandemya, sa mga atletang nag-uwi ng karangalan sa mga pandaigdigang sports competitions, sa mga OFWs na pansamantalang iniwan ang mga pamilya para mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang mga anak, at sa bawat ilaw ng tahanan na patuloy na nagmamalasakit sa buong sambayanan, isang mainit na pagbati at mataas na pagsaludo ngayong Buwan ng mga Kababaihan.”
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go, known as Mr. Malasakit, also offered to help the residents who may need assistance with their medical expenses as he encouraged them to seek the assistance from the Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.
The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under RA 11463 in 2019, which Go principally sponsored and authored and has helped more than ten million Filipinos with 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide. These Malasakit Centers are designed to assist indigent Filipinos by bringing together all relevant agencies under one roof, ensuring that medical assistance programs are easily accessible for patients.
Additionally, Go, together with the Department of Health (DOH), led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, his fellow legislators and local government units, has advocated for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 14 in Davao Oriental, to bring primary healthcare services closer to the grassroots.
In his capacity as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has helped with the construction of a multipurpose building, street lighting project, construction of potable water systems, and the rehabilitation of drainage systems in the town.
“Patuloy kong isusulong sa Senado ang mga batas na makabubuti sa kapakanan at mapoproteksyunan ang mga karapatan ng bawat Pilipina, sa loob man at sa labas ng bansa, sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go assured.
“Ako po ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” added Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor.
