Gives recognition to bgy workers in Malolos City

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go visited the province of Bulacan where he personally gave recognition to barangay workers in Malolos City and later joined the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Balagtas.

Go acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Bulacan’s barangay workers during the Gawad Galing Barangay event held at Hiyas Convention Center in Malolos City. In his speech, Go thanked all of the barangay workers for their immeasurable service and for serving as the bridge for Filipinos to the provincial and national government.

“Ikinagagalak ko po maging parte ng 21st Gawad Galing Barangay upang parangalan ang kagalingan at kahusayan ng mga katangi-tanging barangay sa bansa na ginagampanan ang kanilang mga responsibilidad ng buong husay at katapatan,” remarked Go.

“As barangay leaders, you serve as the frontliners of the government. Kayo po ang pinakaunang tinatakbuhan at nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan sa tuwing sila ay may mga suliranin. Maliban dito, kayo rin po ang unang tagapagpatupad at tagapaghatid ng mga programa at proyekto ng ating gobyerno sa inyong mga komunidad,” he cited.

He also recognized how crucial their roles are for the betterment of society and in bringing government closer to the people, saying, “Kaya naman nais kong bigyang-diin na bilang mga punong-barangay, napakahalaga ng inyong tungkulin at responsibilidad sa inyong mga komunidad at sa bansa. Kung wala po kayo, hindi po magtatagumpay ang gobyernong ito.”

In line with his commitment to support barangay workers and strengthen the healthcare system of the country, Go filed Senate Bill No. 427 which proposes the provision of allowances and incentives to barangay health workers. If passed into law, a monthly allowance of PhP3,000 will be provided to all barangay health workers and will also be entitled to security of tenure and other benefits and privileges.

Go also recommended that barangay personnel should be provided with compensation comparable with the pay rate of regular government employees.

“Naniniwala po kami ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na katangian ng isang mahusay na bansa at gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng awtonomiya sa mga lokal na komunidad na makakamit lamang sa desentralisasyon ng kapangyarihan sa gobyerno. Ngunit upang maging matagumpay ito, kailangan muna nating i-empower ang ating mga barangay dahil sila ang basic unit of governance sa bansa,” Go stressed.

“Naniniwala ako na sa tulong at pakikiisa ninyo, mabilis na makakabangon ang ating bansa mula sa pandemya at anumang krisis na ating kakaharapin,” he added.

After the awarding, Go proceeded to Balagtas and personally joined the groundbreaking ceremony of the town’s Super Health Center.

Advocated by Go to bring the government’s health services closer to Filipinos, particularly in rural communities, Super Health Centers will be strategically located in far-flung areas where basic health services will be offered, 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 will be done.

Go cited that 307 Super Health Centers will be established nationwide this year, seven of which will be located in Bulacan, particularly in the towns of Balagtas, Bulakan, Pandi, San Miguel and Guiguinto; and the cities of San Jose del Monte and Meycauayan.

“Laging handa dapat tayo para hindi tayo mabigla. Alalahanin natin na hindi naman natin masabi kung ito na ba ang huling pandemya na darating sa buhay natin. Mas mabuti na handa tayo. Mas mabuti nga makagawa tayo ng sarili nating bakuna para hindi tayo umaasa sa ibang bansa,” Go stressed.

“Isinulong ko po talaga ang pagpapatayo ng mga Super Health Centers sa buong Pilipinas dahil alam ko po kung gaano ninyo kailangan na mapalapit sa inyo ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he underscored.

The DOH, with the support of Go as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, plans to build at least 320 more SHCs in 2023.