FOLLOWING their visit to Sta. Maria in neighboring Davao Occidental province where they personally led a relief operation for flood victims, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Robinhood Padilla proceeded to Matanao, Davao del Sur where they inspected the town’s Super Health Center.

The Super Health Center is one of Go’s initiatives together with the Department of Health to bolster the country’s healthcare system, particularly in far-flung areas. In this regard, he helped secure funds for the construction of 307 such centers nationwide, including the one in Matanao.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go has been consistent in pushing for the construction of these health facilities, underscoring that more Filipinos must be able to access quality healthcare services.

“Nasa strategic areas po siya nakalagay para hindi na po nila kailangan bumiyahe kapag may emergency cases. Meron na po silang sariling rural healthcare station. Pinangarap kong maisakatuparan ito at finally po nag-groundbreaking tayo,” expressed Go.

Super Health Centers will offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, 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 center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

After the inspection, Go and Padilla joined the inauguration of a multipurpose building where they also spearheaded a relief activity for the town’s struggling residents.

Go and his staff distributed grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts and meals to 500 residents. The senator also gave away shoes, bicycles, cellular phones, watches, umbrellas, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

“Ako (at) si Robin ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan ninyo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Puso sa puso ang pagpapasalamat namin sa inyong lahat. At handa kaming magserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Ako, tao lang rin ako na napapagod. Pero kapag nakikita ko kayo na masaya at ngumingiti, nawawala ang aming pagkapagod,” Go expressed in his speech.

“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil obligasyon namin ang tumulong. Kayo, kahit sino sa inyo lapitan n’yo lang kami. Hindi ako mangangako dahil hindi ako pulitiko na mangangako sa inyo. Basta tutulong lang ako sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil trabaho naman namin iyan,” he underscored.

Moreover, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial aid to struggling residents in the town through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

In line with his commitment to help those with health concerns, the senator also encouraged the beneficiaries to reach out to his office or visit the nearby Malasakit Centers at Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City or at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

The Malasakit Centers seek to make government medical assistance programs more accessible by bringing the relevant agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.

“Mayroon naman tayong 153 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. Sa SPMC, may Malasakit Center doon. Kahit na taga-Matanao kayo, pwede kayong lumapit doon sa SPMC, tutulungan kayo,” Go noted.

In addition to the said assistance, Go, who is Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various infrastructure projects, such as the rehabilitation of several roads and the construction of the Matanao Municipal Hall which they also visited that day.

“Mga kababayan, nandito kami para magbigay ng tulong, makapagbigay ng kaunting solusyon sa inyong problema, at makapag-iwan kami ng kaunting ngiti sa inyong mukha sa pag-uwi ninyo. Masaya na rin po kami sa pag-uwi ninyo na nakangiti kayo dito sa Matanao,” Go expressed.

“Sa mga taga-Davao del Sur, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong kay (dating) presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte, kay Presidente (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.), kay Vice President Sara (Duterte), kay Robin at sa akin. Nandito lang kami na nagmamahal sa inyong lahat,” he concluded.

On November 26, Go also personally visited the town of Malalag and provided assistance to more flood victims.