Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team, in coordination with Mayor Jed Quimbo and Vice Mayor Tony Go, assisted 484 displaced workers at Labason Tennis Court in the municipality of Labason, Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday, December 6.
The beneficiaries received snacks, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball. Selected recipients also received a bicycle, shoes, and a cellphone.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment conducted an orientation and committed to extending livelihood support as part of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program to qualified recipients.
“Naiintindihan ko po na napakaraming nawalan ng trabaho at nawalan ng pagkukuhanan ng kita simula ng pandemya. Sa panahon ngayon, patuloy lang po ang ating pagbabayanihan, mga kababayan ko. Kami po sa gobyerno ay patuloy na gagawa ng mga paraan upang mabalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya,” said Go in a video message.
“Asahan niyo po na ako naman ay patuloy niyong magiging kasangga sa Senado at pagsisilbihan kayo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he reassured.
To ensure that those who reside in rural areas lacking job opportunities are taken care of, Go filed Senate Bill No. 420, which seeks to offer temporary employment to eligible members of low-income rural households who are ready to perform unskilled physical labor for a period of time.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, mentioned that there are Malasakit Centers in the province, encouraging them to seek its services if they need assistance with any medical-related expenses.
Malasakit Centers are located at Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City and the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City.
“Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop. Nasa loob na ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno, ang PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD, tutulungan kayo sa babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital,” explained Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
There are 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, to date. According to the Department of Health (DOH), these centers have helped more than ten million indigent Filipinos nationwide.
The senator likewise supported the DOH in its initiative to build more Super Health Centers nationwide. Super Health Centers offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, 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 centers, and telemedicine.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
Lastly, Go cited the enactment of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has consistently supported initiatives aimed at promoting the development of the province. Notably, he has supported the funding for the construction of multipurpose buildings in Dapitan City, Jose Dalman, Mutia, President Manuel A. Roxas, Salug, Siocon, and Sindangan. Additionally, he has facilitated the acquisition of ambulance units for Mutia, as well as trucks for Katipunan and Mutia.
Furthermore, Go has been instrumental in the rehabilitation of roads in Dapitan City, Godod, Jose Dalman, Liloy, Kalawit, Labason, La Libertad, Sergio Osmeña, and Salug. (PR)
