SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with Governor Hermilando Mandanas, has personally provided additional support to various sectors composed of Persons with Disabilities, Child Development Workers, Senior Citizens, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and Barangay Tanods in Batangas City, Batangas, on Thursday, November 21.
The Senator is an adopted son of the CALABARZON region, with familial roots in Batangas through his Tesoro side.
“Kanina po maraming nagpapasalamat sa akin, pero sa totoo lang po, ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo ako ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo lalo na sa mga kapwa ko Batangueño,” said Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his dedication to serving Filipinos in need.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” added Go.
Held at the Dreamzone Capitol in the city, Go, and his Malasakit Team also gave a total of 2,500 individuals snacks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. Shoes for men and women, bicycles, mobile phones, and a watch were also given to select recipients.
Furthermore, in partnership with the provincial government, they also extended financial assistance to the beneficiaries.
Go then acknowledged the officials present in the aid distribution for their unwavering support for the Batangueños, including Governor Mandanas and Vice Governor Mark Leviste, among others.
In his address, Senator Go highlighted that barangay staff are the frontline representatives of the government. “Saludo po ako sa inyong lahat, lalo na sa ating mga BHWs, Barangay Tanod, at BNS dahil hindi po biro ang ginagawa ninyo,” he stated, acknowledging their direct interaction with the community’s daily needs.
As an advocate for grassroots development, the senator also discussed two key pieces of legislation he is pushing for aimed at supporting BHWs: SBN 197, also known as the Magna Carta for Barangays, and SBN 427, known as the Barangay Health Workers Compensation Act.
Go also filed SBN 2504, aimed at increasing the salary schedule of civilian personnel in the Philippine government. If enacted into law, the bill, known as “Salary Standardization Law VI,” seeks to amend and improve the provisions outlined in RA 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5.
Go also highlighted the recent legislative achievements designed to enhance support for senior citizens. Among these is RA 11982, which he co-authored and co-sponsored. The law extends the cash gift program to include Filipinos aged 80, 85, 90, and 95, each receiving P10,000, complementing the P100,000 incentive already available to centenarians.
Additionally, he mentioned RA 11916, which he co-authored to amend the Senior Citizens Act and increase the social pension for indigent senior citizens. This adjustment, he said, aims to “alleviate the daily struggles of our elderly, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan.”
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and as a health reform crusader, Go extended aid to affected residents who may need medical assistance. The senator cited a Malasakit Center at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
“Hindi po ako isang politiko na mangangako sainyo, gagawin ko lang po ang aking trabaho sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ituring niyo po akong para ninyong kapitbahay na bawat oras ay pwede ninyong lapitan,” ended Go.
On the same day, Go attended the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Malvar and the turnover of ambulances for Malvar and Sta. Teresita. He also aided a thousand indigents in Parañaque.
