Bong Go’s Malasakit Team assists disadvantaged residents in Pangasinan

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, adopted son of Pangasinan, provided support to a total of 284 impoverished residents in the municipalities of Binmaley, Dagupan City, Bautista, Calasiao, Urbiztondo, and Mangatarem during his Malasakit Team's relief activities from 13 to 15 December.

The Malasakit Team coordinated with Binmaley Mayor Pedro Merrera III, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, Bautista Mayor Joseph Espino, Calasiao Mayor Kevin Macalalay, Urbiztondo Mayor Modesto Mejia Operaña, and Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla.

They held the relief activities at the respective municipal sports complexes of both Calasiao and Urbiztondo, Shahani Complex in Mangatarem, Binmaley Evacuation Center, Dagupan City Plaza, and Bautista Municipal Auditorium.

All individuals received masks, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball while select recipients received shoes.

Separately, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program, provided livelihood kits to qualified beneficiaries. Go champions and maintains ongoing support for PPG's implementation, aiding micro-entrepreneurs in their recovery from crises.

"Nais kong magpasalamat sa DTI sa inyong PPG program dahil hindi lamang ito nagbibigay ng tulong kundi pati na rin ng sapat na kaalaman at kakayahan sa pagnenegosyo para sa mga pamilyang bumabangon mula sa iba't-ibang krisis," Go said.

"Ang PPG program ay isang malinaw na halimbawa kung paano natin maipapakita ang malasakit at suporta sa ating mga kababayan na tinamaan ng mga pagsubok. Ang inyong pagsisikap ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga pamilya at indibidwal, kundi pati na rin sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan ng pagbangon," he continued.

Go advocated for DTI's PPG program to enhance the economic well-being of communities impacted by various crises. He remains actively involved in the program's execution, aiming to assist individuals and families, especially those who are running small businesses, and who have suffered due to disasters, calamities, and other emergencies, including fires, armed conflicts, and similar situations.

"Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo. Kapag lumago ang inyong negosyo, dalhin niyo po ang mga kita sa inyong mga pamilya… mas masarap sa pakiramdam kapag pinagpawisan at pinaghirapan niyo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo at napalago ninyo ito," Go said to the program beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate of Republic Act 11960, also referred to as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. The law is designed to bolster entrepreneurship and local economic advancement by showcasing and supporting distinctive products originating from various towns across the nation.

The OTOP program encourages Filipinos to take pride in their local products, providing a platform for small-scale producers to access a wider market.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, informed the beneficiaries that they are eligible to receive healthcare support from the Malasakit Center located at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, or from any of the 159 Malasakit Centers across the country.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount through the various medical assistance programs made accessible under one roof.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, the centers have helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.

"Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para 'to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito," said Go.

Go also mentioned that necessary funds were allocated to construct Super Health Centers nationwide. Super Health Centers are strategically designed to focus on the delivery of primary care, offering consultations, and enhancing the early detection of diseases at the grassroots.

Through the collaborative efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, local government units, and DOH, sufficient funds were allocated for 307 Super Health Centers nationwide in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, is tasked with identifying strategic areas for construction.

Under the 2022 health budget, Super Health Centers were funded for Pangasinan in Alaminos City, Balungao, Basista, Manaoag, Mapandan, Tayug, Pozorrubio, Asingan, and Umingan. Meanwhile, more Super Health Centers under the 2023 budget will be constructed in Agno, Alcala, Bani, Calasiao, Malasiqui, San Fabian, San Quintin, San Manuel, Sison, and Urbiztondo.

Go then emphasized the significance of the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and co-authored in the Senate. He underscored the importance of this legislation, signed into law on August 24, as a major step forward in improving the availability of specialized medical care in rural areas that are currently underserved.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of concrete line canals, rehabilitation and concretion of several roads, and acquisition of medical equipment for the dialysis center of the Western Pangasinan District Hospital.