Senator Bong Go pushes for regional development in Cordillera; supports initiatives in health, infrastructure, and disaster mitigation

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, continues to champion various projects in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with a strong focus on healthcare, infrastructure development, and disaster resilience. These efforts aim to address the unique needs of the region’s communities, fostering sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for its residents.

Healthcare remains a top priority for Senator Go, as evidenced by the establishment of Malasakit Centers across CAR. First established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together concerned agencies to provide indigent patients with access to medical assistance programs. 

Through Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, qualified public hospitals now feature Malasakit Centers. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers have been established, benefiting over 15 million Filipinos, as per Department of Health reports.

Facilities with operational Malasakit Centers in CAR include the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City; Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center in Luna, Apayao; Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet; Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province; Conner District Hospital in Conner, Apayao; Bontoc General Hospital in Bontoc, Mountain Province; and Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

Aside from Malasakit Centers, 15 Super Health Centers were funded in the region to bring essential medical services closer to remote communities. These centers provide a range of services, including diagnostics, birthing assistance, pharmacy services, and minor surgeries.

Further solidifying his commitment to specialized medical care, Go has principally sponsored and authored the law for the development of Regional Specialty Centers, which will be integrated into existing DOH hospitals. These centers aim to provide advanced healthcare services in the region. Regional Specialty Centers at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center have been instituted to deliver advanced care for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, renal transplants, and other critical health concerns.

Other health-related initiatives include infrastructure and equipment upgrades in various healthcare facilities. In Apayao, the Far North Luzon General Hospital underwent repair and construction, while Conner and Rizal received medically customized ambulances to improve emergency response. 

Benguet benefited from the provision of ambulances, while Ifugao saw medical equipment upgrades in Sagada as advocated by Go. Furthermore, an ambulance was procured for Bauko in Mountain Province to strengthen rural health services.

Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of Senator Go’s initiatives, focusing on enhancing connectivity, public facilities, and disaster resilience across CAR. Each province has seen significant improvements tailored to its specific needs.

In Abra, road rehabilitation projects such as the Peñarrubia-Villaviciosa Road and the Villaviciosa-Luba-Tubo Road have enhanced accessibility for residents and businesses. Public facilities like evacuation centers in Licuan-Baay and senior citizen centers in Tayum have also been constructed. Additionally, farm-to-market roads, such as the Tub-eng-Nagtupacan Road in Lagangilang, support local agriculture.

In Apayao, infrastructure improvements include the enhancement of the Marag-Cadaclan-Eva Provincial Road and farm-to-market roads in Barangay San Antonio, Pudtol. Solar lighting projects have illuminated nine barangays in Conner, while multi-purpose buildings in Paracelis and Pudtol have bolstered local government and community services. Water supply systems have also been constructed in strategic locations.

Benguet has benefited from farm-to-market road rehabilitation projects in Atok and Kabayan, as well as the improvement of the Toltolen-Hilltop Road in La Trinidad. Multi-purpose buildings in Itogon and Kapangan, alongside public markets and water system improvements, have strengthened community infrastructure.

In Ifugao, major projects include the concreting of farm-to-market roads in Alfonso Lista and the construction of the Panlibangan-Baley Uleg Road in Asipulo. Public facilities such as the multi-purpose sports complex and bagsakan center in Lagawe have bolstered local economic activities. Solar lighting installations in Sagada and slope protection projects in Banaue have enhanced both safety and environmental resilience.

Kalinga has seen significant investments in road rehabilitation and slope protection along the Kalinga-Abra Road, particularly in Balbalan. Water supply systems in Lubuagan and solar streetlights in Rizal have improved basic services, while multi-purpose buildings in Tabuk City serve as venues for community activities and local governance.

In Mountain Province, road improvements in Bauko, Sagada, and Tadian have improved connectivity across towns. Multi-purpose buildings in Sadanga and Paracelis have strengthened local government facilities. Solar streetlights in Sagada and Sabangan have also provided renewable energy solutions for rural areas.

To address the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Senator Go has supported the construction of flood-mitigating structures across CAR.

Through his initiatives in health, infrastructure, and disaster resilience, Senator Go continues to demonstrate his dedication to improving the quality of life in CAR. His efforts reflect his deep commitment to serving the Filipino people, particularly those in underserved areas.

“Patuloy akong maglilingkod para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga kababayan. Kasama n’yo ako sa pagsiguro na walang maiiwan at lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon sa mas maayos na kinabukasan,” Senator Go said.

"Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan nito. Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” Mr. Malasakit ended. 

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