ON Friday, March 22, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in partnership with Congresswoman Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, provided much-needed assistance to Iloilo City’s less fortunate residents, aiming to ease the burdens many face, especially those facing economic challenges.
The relief activity was held at Don Francisco Covered Court, where Senator Go’s Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, snacks, masks, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 1,000 disadvantaged residents. They also gave away shoes, a mobile phone, and a bicycle to select recipients.
Meanwhile, through the initiative of Congresswoman Baronda, the beneficiaries received financial assistance from the government.
“It’s through our collective efforts that we can make a significant difference in the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” Senator Go remarked. He underscored the importance of cooperation between different government and community leaders in achieving common goals.
In addition to indigent relief operations, Go’s Malasakit Team also assisted fire victims in the city during the day.
Meanwhile, Senator Go personally visited Lambunao town in the province that same day. He engaged directly with displaced workers there, offering them support and reassurance during their time of need. He also joined the groundbreaking ceremony of the town’s Super Health Center, a project expected to enhance the local healthcare infrastructure and provide residents with better access to medical services.
Lastly, Go visited Iloilo City in the evening and attended the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines National Summit at the Iloilo Convention Center.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, he expressed concern for their well-being. He encouraged them to take advantage of additional assistance, particularly for health, by visiting the Malasakit Centers at West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center, both in Iloilo City.
The Malasakit Center, institutionalized through Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, is a one-stop shop where various government agencies collaborate to assist indigent patients with medical expenses.
Go, the principal author and sponsor of the Act, mentioned that 161 Malasakit Centers are currently operational nationwide. The Malasakit Centers already assisted more than ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Other Malasakit Centers in the province are at Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Western Visayas Sanitarium, and General Hospital in Santa Barbara.
Go also highlighted the critical role of Super Health Centers in reducing hospital overcrowding, enabling early detection of illnesses, and offering essential healthcare services in communities, particularly those that are underprivileged. In Iloilo, funding has been secured for 27 Super Health Centers.
Senator Go’s commitment to public service was evident as he affirmed his dedication to providing support to the best of his capacity. “My office and I are fully committed to supporting our kababayans in every way possible,” he stated, highlighting his ongoing mission to uplift and support the welfare of Filipinos across the country.
In line with this, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various projects in the city, such as the completion of various barangay health stations and the construction of a multipurpose building in the Iloilo City Public Market.
Other significant initiatives he supported include the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barotac Viejo, concreting or construction of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Carles, Dumangas, Lemery, Miag-ao, and Sara; completion of the barangay health stations in Leon; construction of a flood control system in Balasan; construction of a seawall in Banate; construction of the legislative building complete with facilities in San Dionisio; and improvement of the public parks in Dueñas.
