RESIDENTS of Navotas City warmly welcomed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, April 9, as he returned to Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran for a motorcade and show support for small vendors whose livelihoods line the city’s bustling streets.
Before his motorcade kicked off, Senator Go—fondly called “Mr. Malasakit”—stepped down from his float repeatedly to buy snacks from local street vendors, turning the day’s visit into an impromptu show of support for the informal economy. Palitaw, turon, carioca, ice cream, nilagang mani, balut, and penoy—Senator Go sampled them all, encouraging others to patronize these local businesses.
“Simple lang po pero galing sa puso. Sa ganitong paraan, naipapakita natin na mahalaga ang bawat kababayan, lalo na ‘yung mga araw-araw naghahanapbuhay sa lansangan,” said Senator Go.
This simple yet sincere gesture reflected the spirit behind Republic Act No. 11960, or the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Act, which Senator Go co-sponsored and was one of the authors of in the Senate.
The OTOP program fosters national pride in Filipino-made products while providing small-scale producers with avenues to expand their market reach. By focusing on local specialties, the program aims to elevate the livelihood of communities and contribute to the country’s overall economic progress.
During the visit, an 18-year-old person with a disability, named Akisha Querl Escalada Conel, approached the senator to ask for help with her cataract treatment. Senator Go immediately responded, assuring her that his office would help guide her to get the necessary assistance for her eye operation.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go once again emphasized the importance of strengthening grassroots health services. He highlighted the Malasakit Centers program, which he principally authored and sponsored through Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
These one-stop shops aim to streamline access to government medical assistance, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for indigent patients. A Malasakit Center is operational at the Navotas City Hospital, providing easier access to financial assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Nationwide, 167 Malasakit Centers have helped over 17 million Filipinos, based on DOH data.
Aside from Malasakit Centers, Senator Go also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers, which serve as primary care hubs that offer consultations, early disease detection, and other basic medical services.
One Super Health Center is funded in Navotas, made possible through collaboration with national health authorities and local government efforts.
Senator Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
His presence in Navotas also reaffirmed his continued backing for various infrastructure developments in the city.
Among the projects he supported as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance are the construction of a floodwall along Chungkang River; new classroom buildings in Kaunlaran High School and Tanza Elementary School; and multi-purpose buildings in several public schools including Kaunlaran High School, Daanghari Elementary School, North Bay Boulevard Elementary School, Navotas National High School, and Tangos Elementary School.
Additional support was extended for the rehabilitation and construction of facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College, the construction of two floodgates along the Navotas Coastal Dike, and a multi-purpose building within the Malabon-Navotas District Engineering Office compound.
Further improvements he supported included the procurement of ambulances, trucks, and multi-cabs, along with drainage canal enhancements in various city alleys.
Several school buildings were also funded through his support such as Kaunlaran High School, Daanghari Elementary School, North Bay Boulevard Elementary School, Navotas National High School, Tangos Elementary School, San Roque Elementary School, San Rafael Village Elementary School, Tanza Elementary School, and Dagat-dagatan Elementary School.
“Basta para sa edukasyon, kalusugan, at kaligtasan ng mga kababayan, lagi po akong handang tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Senator Go stressed.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” concluded Senator Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate brand of public service.
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