SPREADING the spirit of Christmas through bringing essential service closer to the people, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led the turnover of a new Super Health Center in Lupon, Davao Oriental, on Monday, December 23. The event also saw the senator extending additional support to thousands of impoverished residents in the town.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyo dahil sa pagkakataon na inyong ibinigay sa akin upang makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataon na binigay ninyo sa akin na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Iyan lang po ang maiaalay ko sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan dahil bisyo ko na ang pagserbisyo,” said Senator Go.
He added, “Mayroon lang po akong sasabihin sa inyo at tandaan po natin ito. Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan po ang totoo.”
Senator Go underscored the importance of establishing more Super Health Centers to make healthcare services more accessible to underserved communities.
“Sa mga itinayo na Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad, lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he stated.
Super Health Centers are designed to decongest hospitals by offering primary care, medical consultations, and early disease detection at the grassroots level. These facilities aim to strengthen the healthcare system in rural areas, providing accessible and efficient medical services.
Thanks to the collaboration of Senator Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, funding has been secured for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide. Among these, 14 centers have been funded in Davao Oriental.
During the turnover, Senator Go expressed his gratitude to the DOH, the local government, including Mayor Erlinda Lim, Vice Mayor Sonny Alonzo, and local councilors such as John Erwin Montojo, Hadji Barabag, Don Go Montojo, Dennis Roflo, Reynaldo Suriba, Generoso Raneses Jr., Redem Daquiado, Cenen Angsingco, and Bonso Barabag, for their efforts in making the initiative a reality.
In addition, Senator Go distributed grocery packs to 285 barangay health workers. Selected beneficiaries also received snacks, shirts, foldable fans, basketballs, and volleyballs.
Further assistance was provided to 3,600 indigent residents through financial aid facilitated in partnership with the local government of Lupon. Other items distributed included grocery packs, shirts, snacks, bicycles, shoes, mobile phones, and watches.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Go has been instrumental in supporting various development projects in Lupon. These include Concreting and improvement of local roads in Barangay Ilangay; Installation of solar LED lights along the national road in Barangay Bagumbayan; Construction of multi-purpose buildings; Development of a 1-km community access road; Construction of a Level II potable water system (pump-driven); and Road construction from Sitio Camarin to Barangay Napnapan, among others.
“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go na patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos. Salamat po at bukas ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat,” Senator Go said in his closing remarks.
Senator Go also joined the turnover of ambulances for Lupon and San Isidro towns with Mayor Erlinda Lim and Mayor Angel Go. On the same day, he also attended the turnover of new ambulances for District 1 municipalities and Mati City, further showcasing his commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across Davao Oriental.
