SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team, in coordination with Governor Maria Angelica “Angel” Amante, organized a relief activity for displaced workers in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on Friday, December 15.

Held at the Nasipit Evacuation Center, they distributed shirts, vitamins, masks, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 89 individuals while they also gave away a mobile phone and a watch to select recipients.

The beneficiaries also qualified for livelihood support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

In a video message, Go recognized the importance of government initiatives to improve the lives of Filipinos impacted by crises and promote inclusive economic recovery.

Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420, introduced by Go, advocates for the establishment of a system designed to provide short-term employment opportunities to eligible individuals from disadvantaged rural households. Under the proposed legislation, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be established under the jurisdiction of DOLE.

The primary aim of REAP, if legislated, is to provide temporary employment options to individuals who qualify based on criteria such as economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or seasonal employment.

Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged residents to visit Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City if they need medical assistance from the government.

Republic Act No. 11463, which created the Malasakit Centers Program, was enacted into law in 2019. It was principally authored and sponsored by Go and aimed to provide convenient access to medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay matulungang mabayaran ang inyong pagpapagamot. Kaya huwag po kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa Malasakit Center dahil para po yan sa inyo, mga kababayan kong Pilipino. At ngayon po, meron na po tayong 159 na Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo,” explained Go.

The centers have so far assisted more or less ten million Filipinos according to DOH.

Go also expressed his support for the construction of Super Health Centers across the country. These centers are designed to offer a wide range of basic health services, database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.

In Agusan del Norte, necessary funds have been allocated by Congress for the construction of Super Health Centers in Cabadbaran, Las Nieves, Santiago, and Butuan City, the last one having been personally inspected by Go last June.

Lastly, Go highlighted the passage of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. This law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within DOH regional hospitals.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has been a staunch supporter of various initiatives in the province. These include the construction of a road connecting the NRJ Masao Port Road to the NRJ Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Logistical Highway, NRJ Butuan City-Malaybalay Road to the NRJ Buenavista-Bunaguit Road, NRJ Malaybalay Road to the NRJ Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan City Road, Levee Road to the Mayor Democrito-Las Nieves-Sibagat Road, and NRJ BCIR-Jct Logistical Highways; and the concreting of the Tagabaca farm-to-market road in Butuan City.

Other initiatives he supported include the construction of the Las Nieves Bridge and road approaches, Concepcion Bridge in Brgy. Concepcion, and a revetment along the Cabadbaran River in Brgy. Poblacion 9 in Cabadbaran City.