SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team visited Cotabato City to bring cheer and goodwill to the residents during the Chinese New Year festivities at the People’s Palace on Saturday, February 11.
“Mga minamahal kong kababayan sa Cotabato City, isang mapagpalang araw po sa inyong lahat! Lubos akong nagagalak na makapagbigay ng aking pagbati sa inyong pagdiriwang ng Chinese New Year,” said Go in a video message.
“Sa araw na ito, tayo po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga biyayang natanggap natin sa nakaraang taon, at nagdarasal para sa mas marami pang pagpapala na darating sa atin ngayong taon. Sa gitna ng mga hamon at pagsubok na ating kinakaharap, tayo po ay patuloy na umaasa at lumalaban para sa mas magandang kinabukasan para sa lahat,” he encouraged.
As families and communities worldwide welcomed the Year of the Dragon, Senator Go’s team visited neighborhoods in Cotabato City, offering tokens, such as shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball, to celebrate the occasion. The event was also attended by Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao, City Councilors, Philip Salvador who represented Senator Go, Deputy Mayor for Chinese Affairs Narciso “Ongpin” Yu Ekey, and members of Cotabato City government.
The initiative is aimed to embody the values of unity, compassion, and mutual support that are especially significant during festive seasons like the Chinese New Year.
In his message, Senator Go highlighted the importance of cultural diversity and the contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community to the nation’s cultural tapestry and economic development.
“Sa okasyong ito, nais ko rin pong pasalamatan ang mga kababayan nating Tsinoy na malaki ang ambag sa ating ekonomiya, kultura, at lipunan. Kayo po ay mahalagang bahagi ng ating bansa, at inaasahan ko po ang inyong patuloy na pakikiisa at suporta sa ating mga adhikain,” Go said.
“Bilang inyong lingkod-bayan, ako po ay nananatiling handang magserbisyo sa inyo, lalo na sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan. Isa po sa aking prayoridad ay ang pagpapalakas ng ating sektor ng kalusugan, upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at kagalingan ng bawat Pilipino,” he maintained.
Amid the festivities, Senator Go emphasized the significance of maintaining good health practices and accessing proper healthcare. Go took the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of prioritizing their health for a brighter and healthier year ahead.
He then reassured the community of his commitment to the health sector, highlighting ongoing and future initiatives to improve healthcare services and accessibility for all Filipinos.
The senator encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center in the city, located at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center. These centers are one-stop shops where indigent patients may seek assistance from the concerned agencies to help them settle their hospital bills.
Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018. This was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored in 2019. The Department of Health reported that around ten million Filipinos have already benefitted through the 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.
He also supported the funding for constructing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including four in the City of Cotabato, to bring primary care close to the city’s constituents.
“Sa pagpasok ng Year of the Dragon, nawa’y maging matatag, malakas, at matapang tayo sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay. Nawa’y maging masaya, mapayapa, at makabuluhan ang inyong pagdiriwang ng Chinese New Year, kasama ang inyong mga pamilya, kaibigan, at komunidad. Maraming salamat po, at mabuhay tayong lahat! Kung Hei Fat Choi!,” he ended.
