Senator Bong Go recently took part in the Calacatchara Festival celebrations with his fellow Batangueños in Calaca City.
The festivities commemorated the city’s 188th founding anniversary and showcased the local culture and heritage.
In his message, Go expressed his joy and pride in being part of the celebration, saying, “Natutuwa po ako dahil bagong city na po ito, (ang) siyudad ang Calaca… natutuwa po ako na maging parte ng kanilang selebrasyon dahil naging instrumento rin po tayo na maging city po itong Calaca.”
In May 2021, former president Rodrigo Duterte approved a measure converting Calaca, which was a municipality then, into a component city of Batangas, through Republic Act No. 11544. The measure was co-authored by Go.
As a fellow Batangueño, the legislator, whose family on his mother’s side is from Batangas, emphasized his commitment to not only joining the festivities but also extending assistance to those in need.
“Kapag umiikot po ako sa buong Pilipinas, gusto ko pong makatulong kahit na papaano sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Hindi lang po makipag-celebrate sa festival o sa mga fiesta.”
“Kapag umiikot po ako sa buong Pilipinas, gusto ko pong makatulong kahit na papaano sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Hindi lang po makipag-celebrate sa festival o sa mga fiesta, but to share what we can with our fellow Filipinos, lalo na yung mga mahihirap po,” the lawmaker said.
“Makatulong man lang sa kanila sa abot ng aking makakaya, makabigay ng solusyon sa kanilang problema, makapaglunsad ng mga proyekto na makakapagpaunlad sa komunidad, maalalayang makapagpagamot ang mga pasyente, at makapag-iwan po ng konting ngiti sa panahon ng pagdadalamhati,” the senator added.
“Nawawala po ang aking pagod tuwing nakikita ko ang mga kababayan natin na tumatawa na rin po pauwi sa kanilang mga pamamahay.”
Also an adopted son of CALABARZON, he then highlighted the importance of giving back to the community, saying, “Nawawala po ang aking pagod tuwing nakikita ko ang mga kababayan natin na tumatawa na rin po pauwi sa kanilang mga pamamahay.”
In addition, Go expressed his gratitude to the local officials, including Batangas 1st District Representative Eric Buhain and former representative Eileen Ermita-Buhain, Governor Dodo Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Calaca City Mayor Sofronio Ona, Jr., Vice Mayor Jerry Raphael Katigbak, and other local and barangay officials, for their unwavering dedication and service to their constituents.
After participating in the celebrations, Go and his team visited the Calaca Central School gymnasium to carry out a relief effort. They distributed masks, vitamins, shirts, and snacks to 1,000 indigent Batangueños. Additionally, they gave away bicycles, cell phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, he reminded the residents to prioritize their health and advised them to take advantage of the medical assistance programs offered in the Malasakit Centers in the province.
The Malasakit Centers program is a brainchild of Go and was institutionalized through RA 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored.
In Batangas, Malasakit Centers are located at the Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery. Currently, there are 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has also helped secure funding for various projects and initiatives throughout the province.
These include the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas and Taal; concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Laurel, Nasugbu and Tuy; acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan and Lemery; and the acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan.
On the same day, Go also inspected an integrated rural health unit project within its new government center in Taal, Batangas which he likewise supported for funding earlier. He also extended assistance to the struggling residents there.
