Adopted son of Nueva Ecija, Bong Go returns to aid indigents in Palayan City

On Thursday, June 8, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, visited the province once again and spearheaded a relief operation in Palayan City, aimed at assisting more than a thousand indigent individuals adversely affected by the global health crisis.

Go recently visited the province last May 22 to aid indigents in Gapan City. His team also extended support to indigents in Cabanatuan City on June 7. 

This time, the relief operation was held at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City and was attended by various local officials, including Congressman Jose Gay “GP” Padiernos, Governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali, and Palayan City Mayor Vianne Cuevas, among others. 

“Hindi po ako pulitiko na mangangako sa inyo. Magtatrabaho po ako sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Kalabitin n’yo lang po ako, huwag n’yo po akong ituring na ibang tao. Kaisa n’yo rin po ako bilang isang adopted son ng inyong probinsya… kuya Bong Go n’yo lang po,” said Go. 

A total of 1,493 struggling residents received relief items from the senator, such as grocery packs, masks, snacks, and vitamins. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, watches, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development then extended financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries to help alleviate the burden caused by the pandemic. 

Continuing his remarks, Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, once again reminded the Filipino people about the importance of prioritizing their health and well-being. 

He informed the beneficiaries that they may avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (DPJGMRMC), both in Cabanatuan City, or in the Talavera General Hospital in Talavera town. 

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the partnered agencies from which Filipinos may seek medical assistance, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.  

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, officially known as Republic Act No. 11463, was principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. 

Go likewise championed the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers to provide specialized medical services to patients, eliminating the need for them to travel long distances to access treatment in metropolitan areas like Metro Manila.

On May 31, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Report on the Regional Specialty Centers Act which was principally sponsored by Go. If enacted into law, the DOH shall be mandated to establish specialty centers within designated DOH hospitals in every region within a span of five years.

In Nueva Ecija, there is already an established Specialty Center in DPJGMRMC. Currently, services offered are Burn Care, Trauma Care, and Eye Care. The facility is also planning to offer more services, such as Cardiovascular Care, Renal Care and Transplant Center, Lung Care, Orthopedic Center, Mental Health, Neo Natal Care, Cancer Care, Geriatric Care, and Dermatology Care. 

“Ano po ang Regional Specialty Center? Halimbawa, nasa Quezon City po ang Heart Center. Ngayon po planong ilagay ng DOH ‘yung mga Heart Center, Cancer Center at iba pa sa mga DOH hospital kasama na po diyan ang sa Cabanatuan. Halimbawa diyan po sa DPJGMRMC, mayroon pong brain care, trauma, eye care pero plano nilang dagdagan po ng cardio. Ibig sabihin, magiging pwede na pong magpa-opera ng puso rin po diyan para hindi na kayo kailangang pumunta pa ng Maynila. Iyan po ang Regional Specialty Center. Naipasa na po namin sa Senado, ako po ang author at sponsor,” Go explained. 

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several infrastructure initiatives in the city. He was instrumental in pushing for the construction of a water supply system, the reinforced concrete deck girder bridge, and the acquisition of medical equipment for Palayan City Hospital. 

“Alam n’yo, makatulong man lang sa inyo, makatulong sa mga pasyente, makatulong sa proyekto na makapag-unlad ng inyong syudad, at makapag-iwan ng kasiyahan at ngiti sa inyong mga mukha… Nawawala po ang aking pagod sa tuwing nakakatulong at nakikita ko kayo na masaya. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed.  

“At tandaan po natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senador kuya Bong Go, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo. Dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

Following his visit to Nueva Ecija, Go headed to Quezon City where he also provided assistance to more indigents. 

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