As he aids struggling communities in Quirino

CHAIR of the Senate Committee on Sports Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his commitment to continue former president Rodrigo Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs as he encouraged fellow Filipinos to engage more in sports activities and stay away from vices.

Go’s team held a two-day distribution activity for indigents residing in Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, and Saguday in Quirino province on September 27 and 28 at the municipal gymnasiums of Aglipay and Saguday. In his video message, Go reminded the 1,635 residents especially the youth to look after their well-being and stay physically active by getting into sports.

To motivate members in the respective communities to participate in sports, Senator Go gave away balls for basketball and volleyball as well as bicycles to select individuals.

“Bilang inyong Chair ng Senate Committee on Sports, ineenganyo ko po kayo na maglaro na lamang kayo ng basketball o volleyball o kahit na anong sports. Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” encouraged Go.

“Huwag natin sayangin ang nasimulan ni dating pangulong Duterte na puksain ang iligal na droga sa bansa. Dahil alam naman po natin kung gaano kasama ang droga sa ating kalusugan at kung gaano kasama ang epekto nito sa ating lipunan. Kaya naman tulungan niyo rin po ako na hikayatin ang lahat na get into sports na lang po,” he added.

As Filipino athletes continue to prevail in international sports competitions, Go likewise stressed the need for the government to further intensify the country’s sports program. In this regard, the lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 423, otherwise known as the Philippine National Games (PNG) Act of 2022, which shall provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development.

Not to be confused with Palarong Pambansa, the PNG is envisioned to be a national multi-sport tournament that aims to widen the base talent identification and efficiently constitute the national pool to be trained for international sports competition.

“Tulungan po natin ang ating mga atletang Pilipino para mapagpatuloy nilang ipamalas ang kanilang galing sa larangan ng palakasan. Tiwala rin po ako na kung mas palalakasin pa natin ang sports sector sa bansa, it will encourage our young people to stay away from illegal drugs and criminality by getting into sports,” said Go.

In addition, Go’s team also gave away snacks and masks to each recipient. They likewise handed out cellular phones and shoes to select individuals.

Also, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Meanwhile, the senator offered additional aid to those with health concerns as he advised them to visit Quirino Provincial Medical Center in Cabarroguis where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their medical-related concerns.

Primarily authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to help particularly poor and indigent patients nationwide with their medical expenses. To date, there are 152 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go is likewise committed to boost the economic development of the province amid the global health crisis. He supported the construction of a multipurpose building in Cabarroguis, concreting of the Sinabbagan Road in Nagtipunan, construction of the Tamsi-Landingan Viewpoint water system in Nagtipunan, and installation of solar street lights in Saguday and Diffun.