SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s office mounted a two-day relief activity for indigent communities in Esperanza, Prosperidad, Sibagat, and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur on April 19 to 20.

Go’s outreach staff provided assistance, such as shirts, masks, vitamins, and snacks to 400 disadvantaged residents at the respective municipal gymnasiums of Esperanza, Prosperidad, and Sibagat, and the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs in Bayugan City. They also gave away caps, shoes, cellular phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.

To further assist with their daily necessities, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Hangad ng pamahalaan ang makapagbigay ng ligtas at komportableng bahay para sa bawat Pilipino. Palagi kaming handang magserbisyo sa inyo lalo na sa panahong pinaka-nangangailangan kayo ng tulong,” Go reassured in his video message.

Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the public to remain adherent to basic health protocols and prioritize their well-being, among others.

He then mentioned that Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad houses a Malasakit Center where individuals with health concerns may seek assistance from the government to help cover their hospital expenses. The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate.

“Nung unang panahon, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang kinakailangan pang lumabas ng ospital at pumila sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para humingi ng tulong. Ubos na panahon nila, ubos pa ang pera nila sa pamasahe,” said Go.

”Ngayon, hindi na nila kailangang gawin ‘yan. Kung may billing kayo sa ospital, puntahan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito,” he continued.

The senator likewise highlighted that necessary funds have been allocated for the construction of Super Health Centers in Esperanza, Bayugan, Sibagat, Santa Josefa, and Trento.

These Super Health Centers will be strategically located in particularly far-flung communities, as assessed by DOH, to ensure that Filipinos have convenient access to basic health services, such as database management, out-patient care, birthing facilities, isolation areas, and diagnostic services such as laboratory tests, x-rays, and ultrasound. Super Health Centers also offer specialized services, such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) services, oncology centers, and physical therapy and rehabilitation centers.

Through the concerted efforts of lawmakers, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH has secured adequate funding for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023.

In line with his growing support for the province, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, helped in securing necessary funds for the construction or concreting of local roads in Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, San Luis and Veruela; construction of multipurpose buildings in Bayugan City and San Luis; construction of evacuation centers in Loreto and Talacogon; construction of riverbank protection structures for the Ihawan River in Loreto; improvement of the Adlayan Riverbank in San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza.

Other major projects he supported are the construction of a new public market and slaughterhouse in Bunawan, development of the Sibagat public park, the acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis, and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Francisco and San Luis.

On April 18, Go’s team assisted struggling residents in Santa Josefa and Trento towns.