SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go visited the province of Misamis Oriental and personally extended aid to existing and aspiring small business owners from El Salvador City and from the towns of Opol, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Naawan, Manticao, Lugait, Laguindingan, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Claveria.

In his speech during his visit, Go encouraged his fellow Filipinos to patronize local businesses as he underscored their vital role in revitalizing communities and the country’s economy.

He has been consistent in pushing for stronger government interventions for struggling small businesses, noting, “Maituturing na backbone ng ating ekonomiya ang mga micro, small and medium enterprises. Masisipag at madiskarte sa buhay ang mga Pilipino. Kung mabibigyan lang sila ng tamang tulong at training, hindi malayo na mas lalago pa ang mga negosyo nila.”

“Sana makonsidera ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ito. Tulungan po natin ang mga MSMEs natin na buhayin ang kanilang mga negosyo dahil sila rin ang bubuhay sa ating ekonomiya, lalung-lalo na ngayon na nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19,” he added.

At the start of the 19th Congress, the senator filed a bill institutionalizing the Department of Trade and Industry’s “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program to help boost recovery and promote innovation among MSMEs.

The proposed measure shall assist and capacitate MSMEs in developing new, innovative and more complex products and services through significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, sustainability, and securing licenses, product registration and other market authorization, among others.

The senator was likewise instrumental for the implementation of the Small Business Wage Subsidy program even at the height of the pandemic. The program provided eligible workers who were unable to work or get paid during the enhanced community quarantine period with two tranches of financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Go and his outreach team distributed meals, grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and shirts to 301 beneficiaries who were gathered at the Tagoloan Dome. Go likewise provided bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

“Ang adbokasiya ko po ay health and sports. Bilang inyong Chair ng parehas na Senate Committees (on health and demography at on sports), ineengganyo ko po ang lahat na alagaan ang inyong kalusugan… maglaro na lamang ng basketball, volleyball o kahit na anumang sports — Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” encouraged Go.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended livelihood assistance grants to the qualified recipients.

“Maraming salamat po sa DSWD para sa programa nilang SLP-LAG. Dalhin niyo po agad ang mga kikitain niyo mula sa programang ito sa inyong mga pamilya. Mas masarap po kung pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ninyo ang inyong kinita,” said Go.

“Sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programang pangkabuhayan ng gobyerno, mabibigyan ang mga nangangailangan ng puhunan, tuturuang magnegosyo, at tutulungang palaguin ito,” he said earlier.

Meanwhile, to ensure that those with health concerns get the medical attention they need, the senator advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers at Northern Mindanao Medical Center and JR Borja General Hospital, both in Cagayan de Oro City.

Streamlining the processes of acquiring medical assistance programs from the government, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to assist poor and indigent Filipinos with their hospital fees and other services.

The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. There are now 152 operational centers nationwide.

“May dalawa po kayong Malasakit Center malapit po sa inyong lugar. Lapitan niyo lang po ang opisina na may karatulang Malasakit Center. Ito ay para sa inyo, mga kababayan ko. Isa po talaga ito sa mga inuna ko nung ako ay ginawa niyong senador kaya naman isinulong ko po talaga ito para maisabatas,” noted Go.

He then encouraged those eligible yet unvaccinated to secure their complete vaccine and booster shots against COVID-19, saying, “Kung kayo po ay eligible na, magpabakuna na po kayo. Itong mga bakuna na ito ay pinaghirapan ng gobyerno para po protektado kayong lahat.”

Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has likewise supported the rehabilitation of roads in several towns, and the construction of flood mitigation structures and water supply system in Tagoloan.

In demonstration of his unwavering commitment to provide more Filipinos with quality healthcare, the senator also supported the construction of four Super Health Centers in the towns of Binuangan, Balubal, San Simon and Libertad in Misamis Oriental.

“Mga kababayan ko dito sa Misamis Oriental, huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil nabigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyong lahat kahit na kami ay mga probinsyano lamang,” expressed Go.

“Noong 2016 po ginawa niyong presidente si dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, at ako naman po ginawa niyong senador noong 2019. Hindi po kami titigil na makapaghatid ng suporta sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Kaya maraming salamat po,” he ended.

Later that day, Senator Go proceeded to personally assist fire victims in Cagayan de Oro City.