SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in uplifting the lives of Filipinos. On Tuesday, April 23, he had his Malasakit Team assist disadvantaged residents in Jiabong, Samar.
During the relief initiative held at the municipal gymnasium, the senator gave snacks, masks, and shirts to 200 residents.
As he continues to prioritize enhancing the sports sector, the senator, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, also distributed volleyball and basketballs to the beneficiaries. He highlighted the role of sports in supporting the government’s fight against illegal drugs, stating, “Ang advocacy ko ay health and sports. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy ‘yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga sa pamamagitan ng pag-engganyo po sa ating mga kabataan na maglaro ng basketball o volleyball.”
“Get into sports, stay away from drugs. Ilayo po natin ang ating mga kabataan sa iligal na droga sa pamamaraan ng pag-i-engganyo sa kanila sa larangan ng palakasan. Kaya nagbibigay po kami ng bola sa inyo para po maglaro sila at malibang,” he encouraged.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries also received financial assistance through the initiative of local officials, including Congressman Michael Tan, Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Vice Governor Arnold Tan, Mayor Julie Cereno, and Vice Mayor Jocelyn de Jesus, among others.
Apart from the assistance, Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered medical aid to those with health issues. He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the services provided in the Malasakit Center at Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.
A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop designed to aid poor and indigent patients with hospital expenses by covering various services and fees. It puts together relevant agencies under one roof so patients can conveniently avail themselves of their medical assistance programs. There are now 163 Malasakit Centers nationwide, and according to the Department of Health, the program has helped more than ten million Filipinos.
“Sa mga residente na may karamdaman, hindi niyo na po kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” assured Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Diyos,” underscored the senator who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
