THE outreach team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to mount aid efforts for struggling Filipinos nationwide as solo parents and barangay healthcare workers (BHW) benefitted from their relief activity in Libungan, North Cotabato.

Held at the municipal gymnasium, Go’s staff distributed shirts, snacks, masks, and vitamins to a total of 401 beneficiaries composed of solo parents and BHWs. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.

“Asahan niyo po na hinding hindi po kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Ipaglalaban ko po palagi ang inyong kapakanan lalo na yung mga walang wala — mga naghihirap, mga helpless at hopeless at walang ibang matakbuhan. Basta po patuloy lang tayong magtulungan dahil nais po namin siguraduhin na there should be no Filipino left behind towards recovery,” underscored Go in his video message.

“I am very optimistic and hopeful na magiging maganda ang taon na ito para sa ating lahat. Huwag lang po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa at makakabangon din tayo mula sa krisis na ito,” he encouraged.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development then separately gave financial assistance to further help the beneficiaries sustain their daily needs while recovering from the challenges caused by the pandemic.

Moreover, Go, who serves as the head of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to help those in need of hospital care as he advised them to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Center at Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City.

First established in 2018, the Malasakit Centers are designed to be a one-stop shop for all medical assistance programs offered by the government, including DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The assistance covers laboratories, medicines, surgeries and other patient services and expenses.

“Kung may nararamdaman po kayo, kung sakit man sa puso o kung ano pa pong sakit, ‘wag niyo na pong patagalin pa. Naiintindihan ko po na minsan ay nag-aalangan ang iba na magpatingin sa hospital pero may Malasakit Center na po diyan sa Cotabato Provincial Hospital kaya napakadali na pong kumuha ng tulong galing sa gobyerno,” said Go.

Go continues to help bolster the country’s healthcare system as he supported the construction of a Super Health Center each in Kidapawan City, and the towns of Banisilan, Libungan and Arakan — the last one having been personally inspected by Go last October.

A Super Health Center is an improved version of a rural health unit. It offers health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients can be done.

The senator shared that the national government has allocated appropriate funds to be able to construct 307 Super Health Centers across the country in 2022. Meanwhile, he noted that he successfully pushed for additional funds in the 2023 health budget to ensure additional Super Health Centers are continuously constructed.

Go, who is also Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has likewise supported the construction of the Arakan, Natutungan and Bangbang barangay halls in Matalam; concreting of farm-to-market and local roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap and President Roxas; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan and Tulunan; construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.

Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11861 which amends RA 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 to grant additional benefits to solo parents, stressing that they are both breadwinners and caregivers of their families.

Go likewise filed Senate Bill No. 427, which would require the provision of allowances and benefits to barangay health workers. If passed, Go’s proposed measure seeks to provide a monthly allowance of PhP3,000 to all barangay health workers. They will also be entitled to benefits and privileges and security of tenure.