Senator Christopher "Bong" Go visited and provided assistance to fire victims in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, on Thursday, March 7. This visit underlines his commitment to extending help to Filipinos throughout the archipelago, emphasizing that geographical barriers do not hinder his service to those in need of compassionate service.

“Alam n’yo, iyan po ang aking ipinangako sa inyo. Kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko kayo basta kaya po ng aking katawan at panahon. Umabot na po ako ng Batanes at Aparri hanggang Jolo at Tawi-Tawi," said Go in his speech.

"Inabutan din tayo ng lindol, putok ng bulkan, buhawi, bagyo, baha, sunog… pinupuntahan ng opisina ko ‘yan para makatulong sa abot ng aming makakaya, makapagsulong ng mga proyekto’t programang magpapaunlad sa lugar, mapakinggan ang mga hinaing, at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he added.

Go, and his Malasakit Team provided essential aid to 331 fire victims, including snacks, grocery packs, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball at a gymnasium in Bongao. They also gave away shoes, a bicycle, a mobile phone, and a watch to select recipients.

“Tandaan natin na ang gamit naman ay nabibili at ang pera po’y kikitain natin. Pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” said Go.

At the same time, through Go’s advocacy of helping crisis-hit communities rebuild and recover, the National Housing Authority provided emergency housing assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

"Isinulong natin ang programang EHAP noon at patuloy ko itong sinusuportahan ngayon upang matulungan ang mga biktima ng bagyo, sunog o anumang sakuna, na makabili ng materyales para sa bahay tulad ng yero, pako, semento, at iba pang kagamitan," he explained.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also made medical assistance more accessible in Tawi-Tawi through the Malasakit Center located at Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in the town, which he visited on the same day and provided meals to patients and health workers as well as other forms of aid such as bikes and shoes to some frontliners.

Currently, 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide seek to ensure that underprivileged Filipinos have convenient access to medical assistance programs from the government. Institutionalized under RA 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored, these Malasakit Centers have already helped around ten million Filipinos nationwide according to DOH.

To bring primary health services, medical consultations and early disease detection to grassroots communities such as Tawi-Tawi, Go also advocated for the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide.

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, local government units, and DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, sufficient funds have been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers from 2022 to 2024. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where these will be constructed including two in Tawi-Tawi as part of the government's initiative to decongest hospitals and make primary healthcare accessible to underprivileged Filipinos.

Go's visit included a stop at the provincial capitol, where he had lunch with Governor Yshmael Sali and other officials. During this visit, a Plaque of Appreciation was awarded to him in sincere gratitude and recognition of his dedicated and compassionate service to the island, its people, and the whole country.

The award also highlights his efforts in promoting peace and development among the Filipino people, including the peace-loving Bangsamoro of Tawi-Tawi.

In his message, Governor Sali expressed his profound gratitude for the senator's tangible demonstration of ‘malasakit’ towards the people of Tawi-Tawi. “Senator Bong Go, maraming, maraming salamat sa tunay na malasakit sa Pilipino dahil damang dama namin sa Tawi-Tawi. Kahit pinakamalayo, nandito ka pa rin. ‘Yung sinasabi mo na ang bisyo mo ay magserbisyo, nararamdaman namin," Governor Sali expressed.

He further emphasized the uniqueness of Go's dedication, remarking on the depth of his compassion, which transcends mere words.

"’Yung malasakit (mo), walang katumbas na salita. (Malaki) ‘yung pasasalamat namin sa ‘yo na nakarating ka sa province ng Tawi-Tawi, kasi sinasabi ng iba na pinakamalayo (ang lugar namin) pero ikaw ay tunay na nagseserbisyo kaya dumating ang tulong mo dito… Kahit hindi ka pumupunta dito, dumarating ‘yung tulong mo para sa province ng Tawi-Tawi," he added.

Likewise, Bongao Mayor Jimuel Shia Que expressed his gratitude for the time and attention Go and his team dedicated to Tawi-Tawi. The Mayor also noted Go's repeated visits and service delivery, earning him the affectionate title of ‘Mr. Malasakit.’ He elaborated on the Tausug meaning of 'malasakit,' likening it to a declaration of love, a sentiment deeply felt by the Tawi-Tawi community for the Senator's dedication and support.

“Kahit na po, nandito kami sa malayo, kayo po ata ‘yung senador na parating bumibisita po sa amin at saka naghahatid ng serbisyo… Tatlong beses na siyang pumunta. Ibig sabihin, mahalaga at may kahulugan sa amin ang inyong pagdating,” he said.

“Kaya nga tinawag siyang ‘Mr. Malasakit.’ Ang malasakit, ibig sabihin, ‘mahal’ sa Tausug, gusto. Parang 'I love you'. Ganoon po. Kaya, sa maikling salita, nakikita natin. Dito, sa inyo, dala niyo ang serbisyo na kailangan, hindi lang basta serbisyo, kundi pagmamahal din,” the mayor added.

Mayor Que also underscored the tangible outcomes of Go's assistance, including infrastructure developments like roads, which are crucial for the province's growth and prosperity.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several initiatives in Tawi-Tawi, including constructing a sports complex, a central public market, and the Tawi-Tawi Medical Center, all in Bongao. He also supported the construction and continued improvements of the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Hospital.

“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,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.

After his visit to Tawi-Tawi, Go went to Davao City and attended the Barangay Newly Elected Officials Basic Orientation Course at the Grand Menseng Hotel and the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines 15th Mindanao Island Conference Fellowship Dinner at the Dusit Thani Hotel. (PR/BONGGO)