Bong Go assists struggling MSMEs in Makilala, North Cotabato

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues to push for improved government interventions to support the country's small business sector.

In coordination with Mayor Armando Quibod, Go's Malasakit Team provided masks, vitamins, shirts, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 16 indigents during a relief activity at the Makilala Municipal Hall in North Cotabato on Tuesday, December 5. There was also a select recipient of a pair of shoes.

Separate from Go's assistance, a team from the Department of Trade and Industry provided negosyo kits to qualified beneficiaries through a livelihood program that Go earlier advocated for and continues to support to help more affected communities recover from calamities and other crises.

"Itong matatanggap niyo, gamitin niyo po sa pagbubukas o pagpapalakas ng inyong negosyo. Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo at dalhin ang mga kita sa inyong pamilya. Mas masarap po sa pakiramdam kung pinaghirapan ninyo ang perang inyong kikitain," Go said in a video message.

The senator also expressed his confidence that the economy will soon recover, while urging the government to continue creating more livelihood opportunities, especially for the poor.

"Alam ko pong napakahirap ng panahon ngayon at marami pang nawalan ng trabaho pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil ginagawa po ng gobyerno ang lahat upang kayo po ay matulungan at makaahon muli," reaffirmed Go.

Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11960, or the One Town, One Product Philippines Act. This law decentralizes economic opportunities by empowering each town and province to develop and promote its unique products. By doing so, it not only fosters community-led innovation but also bridges the urban-rural economic divide, providing small farmers with more avenues to market their produce.

Continuing his dedication to enhancing the country's health sector, Go mentioned that there is a Malasakit Center located at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City for residents who need medical assistance from the government.

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally sponsored and authored in the Senate to help indigent patients with their medical expenses.

To date, 159 operational centers have successfully helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide.

He was also instrumental in pushing for the funding of more than 600 Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide as identified by the Department of Health. According to Go, Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection of diseases, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in rural communities. It will also help decongest hospitals.

Go also shared the recent enactment into law of the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The legislation, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate, aims to bring specialized medical care closer to the grassroots by establishing specialty centers in existing regional hospitals. With this, Go expressed his confidence that the government's health services will be more accessible to Filipinos in need, especially at the grassroots.

Last October 9, Go personally attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new public market and the turnover of a new municipal building in Makilala. The projects were advocated for by Go before. He supported their completion as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.

As part of his efforts to help the province progress, Go supported the construction of various bridges in Alamada, Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala, Pikit, and Tulunan; concreting of farm-to-market roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Makilala, Midsayap, and President Roxas; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Kidapawan City, Arakan, Pigcawayan, and Makilala; construction of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; construction of public market buildings in Arakan and Pigcawayan; construction of a slaughterhouse in Arakan; construction of Liga Office in Makilala; and construction of a perimeter fence for the City Government Complex in Kidapawan City.

Additionally, he has supported road concreting in Kidapawan City, Banisilan, President Roxas, and Midsayap; rehabilitation and improvement of the Pikit Main Drainage Canal in Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.