SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation in achieving communal goals during the 35th Kalilangan Festival and the 85th Foundation Anniversary of General Santos City on Tuesday, February 27.
Go conveyed his greetings to the people of General Santos City on the significant occasion. He also extended his gratitude and acknowledgment to Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, the city councilors, and all the individuals who played roles in the organization and success of the event.
“I commend Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, the esteemed city councilors, and everyone who contributed to this event’s resounding success. Your dedication to our community’s welfare and progress is the true essence of the Kalilangan spirit,” he added.
The Kalilangan Festival is the founding anniversary celebration of General Santos City. It is a vibrant festival with cultural events, parades, and lively street parties. “Kalilangan” is derived from the Maguindanaon term “kalilang,” which means celebration or festivity.
The festival commemorates the arrival of General Paulino Santos and the first group of Christian settlers to the shores of Sarangani Bay on February 27, 1939. This event marked the founding of what is now General Santos City.
In line with the senator’s commitment to fostering community spirit, his Malasakit Team distributed balls for basketball and volleyball and shirts to the attendees.
Moreover, Go also promoted his brainchild, the Malasakit Centers program, which has already helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide since its inception in 2018, according to the Department of Health.
Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, seeks to make government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the relevant agencies under one roof.
Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers in the country, including Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City and South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City.
Go also mentioned that he continues to advocate for more health facilities nationwide, such as establishing Super Health Centers. Through the collective efforts of the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of around 700 Super Health Centers.
In General Santos City, two Super Health Centers were funded.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the construction of roads in Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Tantangan, and Surallah; the acquisition of a dump truck for the local government of Norala; construction of riverbank protection in Koronadal City and Tboli; installation of street lights in Koronadal City, Norala and Tupi; and the construction of a slaughterhouse in Tboli.
Go, known for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need and often referred to as Mr. Malasakit, emphasized, “Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah.”
