SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go traveled to Surallah, South Cotabato, on Thursday, May 2, for the launch of the 164th Malasakit Center located at SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital. After which, he provided support to struggling workers and also inspected the Super Health Center being constructed there.
During the event held at the municipal gym in Surallah, Go lauded the local government for their support and dedication to serving their constituents, including Congressman Peter Miguel and Mayor Pedro Matinong Jr., among others, who were present.
“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Sa totoo lang po, ako ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo ako ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” Go said during his speech.
Go and his Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, and shirts to 500 displaced workers during his visit. There were also select recipients of a bicycle, shoes, mobile phones, watches, and basketball and volleyball balls.
Meanwhile, 120 barangay health workers also received similar aid.
Through Go’s initiative of bringing government programs and services closer to the grassroots, qualified displaced workers also benefitted from the Department of Labor and Employment through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
“Nandito po ang ating DOLE para sa programang TUPAD para bigyan kayo ng pansamantalang trabaho. Palakpakan naman natin ang ating mga empleyado ng DOLE,” expressed Go.
Furthermore, the senator encouraged residents to visit the newly launched Malasakit Center at Soccsksargen General Hospital in Surallah should they require medical assistance. Other Malasakit Centers nearby are located at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City and Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City.
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.
According to the DOH, the centers have benefitted more than ten million underprivileged patients. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Meanwhile, during his inspection of the town’s Super Health Center, the senator also highlighted that he continues to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, which shall improve the healthcare system and bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities.
“Sa mga itinayo ng 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 added.
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including seven in South Cotabato.
Aside from Super Health Centers, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various projects in the province. Among these include 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.
“Tandaan natin, 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. Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” ended Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor.
Aside from his visit to Surallah that day, Go also attended the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Banga town and aided displaced workers there.
