Senator Bong Go reassured the country’s impoverished and most vulnerable citizens that he would continue supporting government initiatives to help improve their lives as his office distributed assistance to indigents in the island town of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.
“Patuloy po kaming umiikot para makapagbigay ng konting tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Nais naming iparamdam sa inyo na nandito ang inyong gobyerno na nagmamalasakit at handang maglingkod sa bawat Pilipino,” Go said.
The legislator’s team distributed snacks, vitamins, and masks to a total of 300 indigent residents at the Sarangani municipal gymnasium. Select beneficiaries also received bicycles, cellphones, pairs of shoes, balls for basketball and volleyball, shirts, and caps.
In addition, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) handed out financial assistance as part of the continuing efforts of the government to assist low-income communities on the frontlines of the pandemic.
“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” the lawmaker said.
“Siguraduhin nating walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa ating pagbangon mula sa pandemya.”
“Siguraduhin nating walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa ating pagbangon mula sa pandemya,” the senator added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health also led the turnover of a sea ambulance to the community, providing medical transportation services to the residents.
The project was funded through the initiative of Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health.
He noted that it is difficult to obtain fundamental medical care in Sarangani due to the fact that it is a remote island that is primarily reachable only by boat and is located several hours away from the mainland of Davao Occidental.
It takes around seven hours by boat to reach General Santos City, which serves as the primary port of entry to the island.
“This sea ambulance will help in providing quick and effective medical response to emergencies, ensuring that patients receive medical attention in a timely manner, regardless of their location,” Go said.
“It will also provide a link between remote communities and larger medical facilities for patients who need more advanced medical treatment.”
“It will also provide a link between remote communities and larger medical facilities for patients who need more advanced medical treatment, helping to improve the overall health and well-being of Sarangani,” he added.
Go likewise supported the construction of Super Health Centers in Sarangani as well as in Don Marcelino which he visited recently.
SHCs will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
“Mga kababayan, (bilang) Chair ng Committee on Health and Sports sa Senado, ang akin pong adbokasiya ay palakasin pa ang ating healthcare system. Kaya mayroon tayong mga Malasakit Center (at) mayroon tayong Super Health Centers,” he cited.
Through Go’s initiative, some 307 SHCs were funded in 2022. He had successfully pushed for sufficient funds for the centers in this year’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH.
In this regard, Go also offered additional assistance to those in need of hospital care as he encouraged them to visit any of the 154 Malasakit Centers in the country.
In Davao Region, particularly poor and indigent patients may seek medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers located at Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City, and Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista town.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, mandates the establishment of a Malasakit Center in all hospitals administered or managed by the Department of Health, and in the Philippine General Hospital.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also committed to help boost the province’s economic development by supporting several initiatives, such as the construction of a multipurpose building and cold storage facility in Don Marcelino; construction of a water system, evacuation center and road rehabilitation in Jose Abad Santos; and construction of an indoor sports building and road improvements in Malita.
“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po at ingat tayo parati at magdasal tayo parati. At tandaan niyo po, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he concluded.
