Bong Go leads relief op in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; lauds programs of DSWD and DOLE to uplift lives of poor Filipinos

A day before his birthday, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally spearheaded a relief operation for more than a thousand disadvantaged Filipinos in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Tuesday, June 13. 

“Ang aking tanging hiling sa panibagong taon na ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon ay ang magkaroon ng lakas at katatagan na makapagserbisyo pa lalo sa aking kapwa. Katulad ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi naman ako nagse-celebrate ng aking kaarawan. Mas nais kong iukol ang aking panahon sa pagtulong sa kapwa ko Pilipino dahil hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala para sa ating mga kababayan na higit na nangangailangan,” Go said. 

Recognizing the significant impact of various crises on poor communities, Go, together with Congressman Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez and Governor Edwin Jubahib, made it a priority to provide relief and support to affected individuals and communities to uplift the lives of the poor. 

“Mawalang galang na po sa inyo kasi lagi kong naririnig, ‘salamat Senador Bong Go, salamat (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte’. Sa totoo lang, wag kayong magpasalamat sa amin, kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n'yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed in his speech. 

“Hindi ko sasayangin ang oras na ibinigay n'yo sa akin. Ako (ay) magtatrabaho para sa Pilipino. Sanay akong magtrabaho dahil yan ang nakasanayan ko noon pa man for the past 24 years,” he added. 

Held at the Davao del Norte Training Center, Go and his team distributed grocery packs, masks, vitamins and shirts to 1,500 struggling residents. Some beneficiaries also received mobile phones, shoes, watches, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball. 

A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was also in attendance and extended financial assistance. 

Simultaneously, Go also provided more support to the community in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program which held an orientation for another 721 individuals in the same venue. The said beneficiaries received similar additional assistance from Go’s office.

The senator took the opportunity to commend DOLE for its proactive approach in addressing the challenges faced by disadvantaged and displaced workers. The TUPAD program, aims to provide emergency employment and livelihood opportunities to those who have lost their jobs or sources of income due to crisis situations.

Recognizing the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare services, Senator Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also promoted the services of the Malasakit Centers as a one-stop shop for medical assistance programs. 

In his remarks, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the Malasakit Center at Davao Regional Medical Center in the city. The Malasakit Centers program, initiated by Go in 2018, aims to streamline the process of availing medical assistance by bringing together various government agencies under one roof.

“Mayroon na tayong 158 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa ating mga kababayan. Batas na yan na aking isinulong noon (at) pinirmahan ni (dating) pangulong Duterte. (It) is a one-stop shop, nasa loob na ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno -- ang PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD. Kung mayroon kayong pasyente, mayroon kayong Malasakit Center dito sa Tagum at meron din po sa Southern Philippines Medical Center sa Davao City,” Go cited.

“Ating pangalagaan ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng ating Panginoon, ‘wag natin pabayaan (dahil) marami akong naririnig sa mga kababayan natin na takot magpaospital dahil takot sa babayaran. Tutulungan ko kayo at ng ating gobyerno, wag na kayong mag-alala,” he offered.

Go also mentioned that a Super Health Center is set to be established in the city, as identified by the Department of Health. Additionally, Super Health Centers will be constructed in the Island Garden City of Samal, Carmen, Talaingod, and two more in Panabo City.

Super Health Centers offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services in Super Health Centers 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.

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The DOH, as the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

To help contribute to the city’s progress and improved connectivity, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of roads in several barangays. 

On the same day, Go attended the First Year Davao del Norte Insurgency-Free Anniversary at the Davao del Norte gymnasium. He also graced the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center and led another distribution activity for more indigents in Carmen. 

###