SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go congratulated the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainees who participated in a graduation ceremony in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on Tuesday, March 5. The ceremony was conducted with the Call Center Academy in Lapu Lapu City College.
In a video message, the senator praised the trainees for their commitment and determination in successfully finishing their training programs.
“Binabati ko po ang lahat ng mga graduates ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ngayong araw na ito. Malaking tagumpay po ito para sa inyong lahat dulot ng inyong mga pagsisikap upang makumpleto ang inyong pag-aaral,” said Go.
“Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang inyong graduation, lubos din akong nagpapasalamat sa TESDA dahil matagumpay ito na nakapagbibigay ng mga kakayahan at kasanayan sa ating mga kababayan upang mabigyan sila ng job at livelihood opportunities, at magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” he continued.
The senator underscored the significance of technical and vocational education in empowering individuals and improving communities.
He recognized the crucial role played by TESDA in offering accessible and high-quality training programs, which enable Filipinos to acquire the necessary skills for securing improved employment prospects and making valuable contributions to the country’s economic advancement.
Go’s Malasakit team provided assistance, such as grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball, to 150 graduates at the Lapu-Lapu City Auditorium.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also extended support to residents facing health issues, recommending they seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for medical assistance.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops providing convenient access to medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients.
Various agencies offer these programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, and there are currently 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide. According to DOH, these centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos.
In Cebu City, Malasakit Centers are located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and Cebu City Medical Center. Meanwhile, there are other Malasakit Centers at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City.
Furthermore, Go shared he continues to push for establishing Super Health Centers nationwide. As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic locations where such centers shall be established, 21 of which will be established in the province of Cebu.
Go also emphasized the importance of RA 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, for which he was the principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate.
It aims to create Regional Specialty Centers within current regional hospitals overseen by the DOH. Currently, there are three Regional Specialty Centers inside VSMMC, including cardiovascular care, neonatal care, and trauma care.
Lastly, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the Diversion Road construction from Sudtunggan, Brgy. Basak to Brgy. Gabi, acquisition of multipurpose vehicles, and the construction of phase 4 of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital Center Building.
