Senator Bong Go’s Malasakit Team returned and provided relief to flood-hit families in Negros Occidental.
The relief operations were successfully conducted in Hinigiran in coordination with Mayor Mary Grace Arceo and Councilor Xenia Guanco, Bago City with Mayor Mayette Javellana, Valladolid with Mayor Ricardo Presbiterio Jr, San Enrique with Mayor Jilson Tubillara, and Himamaylan City with Mayor Raymund Tongson.
Food packs were distributed to a total of 1,900 beneficiaries.
“Noon pa man, pangako ko na kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon, sunog, putok ng bulkan, lindol, bagyo, pupuntahan po namin kayo upang makatulong sa abot ng aming makakaya at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go said.
The veteran legislator likewise emphasized the crucial role played by frontliners and emergency personnel during calamities.
“Sa bawat sakuna, may mga taong tahimik na nagtratrabaho para mailigtas at matulungan ang kapwa, kapalit ang sariling kaligtasan.”
“Sa bawat sakuna, may mga taong tahimik na nagtratrabaho para mailigtas at matulungan ang kapwa, kapalit ang sariling kaligtasan. Nararapat lamang na kilalanin natin ang kanilang sakripisyo,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
He mentioned his filed Senate Bill No. 669, if enacted, would grant hazard pay to all qualified responders directly involved in disaster operations, especially those in high-risk situations.
“Hindi lang po ito tungkol sa ayuda – ito rin ay pagkilala sa mga tunay na bayani sa likod ng relief effort.”
“Hindi lang po ito tungkol sa ayuda – ito rin ay pagkilala sa mga tunay na bayani sa likod ng relief effort,” the senator stated.
In addition, he informed them of the availability of Malasakit Centers, which serve as one-stop shops for medical assistance programs. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, which aims to make government medical assistance more accessible and efficient, especially for indigent patients.
There are currently 167 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide, including the Malasakit Center in Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City,
Negros Occidental. Department of Health figures show that there are more than 17 million Filipinos benefitting from this initiative.
“Tandaan natin, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” Go concluded.
