SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, serving as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, applauded the 1,000 women of Quezon City who participated in a Zumba fitness event along Sto. Niño Street, Payatas on Tuesday, March 12. The event was led by Councilor Mikey Belmonte.
To show his appreciation, the senator’s Malasakit Team gave away shirts and basketball and volleyball balls to select zumba participants.
Senator Go, known for his active role in various community development projects, emphasized the significance of zumba in enhancing one’s health and fitness. “Ang Zumba ay hindi lang basta pagsayaw. Ito ay isang masaya at epektibong paraan para manatiling fit, at buong puso kong sinusuportahan ang mga inisyatibo na hinihikayat ang ating mga kababayan na mamuhay nang aktibo at malusog,” Go remarked in a message.
This initiative is part of Senator Go’s nationwide efforts to promote sports and physical activities. By supporting events encouraging Filipinos to be more active, the senator aims to cultivate a culture of wellness that can lead to a healthier and more vibrant society.
The senator further highlighted his sustained backing for numerous health-oriented initiatives. Key among these endeavors is the continuing operations of the Malasakit Centers, designed to simplify the process for underprivileged patients to obtain medical aid from the government.
Go has collaborated with concerned agencies to assist indigent patients as the principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the program has assisted more than ten million Filipinos and established 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Malasakit Centers in Quezon City are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).
Go has also championed the expansion of Super Health Centers nationwide, a collaborative government effort to improve basic healthcare access and quality for Filipinos. In Quezon City, funding has been allocated to build these centers in six barangays, aiming to elevate healthcare standards significantly.
Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multipurpose buildings, road rehabilitation, installing streetlights, drainage improvement, and flood control structures in several barangays.
He also supported the repair of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Road Network and the acquisition of an ambulance, a dump truck, and four multicabs. Lastly, he also helped secure funding for the vertical expansion of a new emergency building at the Philippine Heart Center and EAMC.
Go helped secure the funds for the Philippine Orthopedic Center to construct the rehabilitation building and acquire medical equipment. Lastly, Go also supported the construction of the Nurses’ Home and some hospital improvements for VMMC.
“Mga kababayan ko, tandaan n’yo po, mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito, kung anuman pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he said.
“Ako ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” concluded Go, also known as Mr. Malasakit.
