Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally joined in the celebrations for the 54th Araw ng Aalmada at the municipal building in North Cotabato on Saturday, June 17, which served as an opportunity for the senator to reaffirm his unwavering support for the town and its residents.
The event was also attended by Senator Francis Tolentino, Congressman Joel Sacdalan, Vice Governor Efren Piñol, Alamaada Mayor Jesus Sacdalan and Vice Mayor Leonigildo Calibara Jr., and M’lang Mayor Russe Labonado, among others.
“Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Alam niyo, Bisaya ako, taga-Mindanao, taga-Davao. Nagkakaintindihan tayong (kapwa) Bisaya at parehong ugali at ang hindi natin makakalimutan sa ating mga Bisaya ay ang pagtanaw ng isang utang na loob,” Go said in his speech.
“Lagi kong naririnig, ‘salamat (dating) presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte, salamat senator Bong Go’. Wag kayong magpasalamat sa amin (dahil) trabaho namin yan. Sa totoo lang, kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n'yo kami ng pagkakataon na magserbisyo. Hindi ko sasayangin ang panahon. Basta kaya lang ng aking katawan at ng aking panahon, pupuntahan ko kayo upang makatulong sa abot ng aking makakaya para mailapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.
Go took the time to interact with the residents, listening to their concerns. He then emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the national government and local communities to achieve progress.
Recognizing the significance of infrastructure development in communities in fostering economic growth, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, continues to support local infrastructure initiatives in the town, including bridges and farm-to-market roads in several barangays.
Furthermore, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go has been actively monitoring the provision of medical assistance to indigent patients provided by Malasakit Centers.
The center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. To date, there are already 158 centers nationwide, including one at the nearby Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City.
“Mga kasama, hindi lang siya matapang, siya rin ang ama ng Malasakit Centers. May malasakit siya sa atin... Basta kahit na sino, may malasakit ang ating Senador Bong Go. Sinisigurado niya na mapabilis ang serbisyo sa mga Pilipino,” Alamada Mayor Sacdalan highlighted.
Residents may also avail of medical assistance programs from the Malasakit Centers at Sanitarium Hospital in Sultan Kudarat and at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.
After the celebration, Go also personally spearheaded a relief operation for 1,500 struggling residents at the municipal gymnasium. The residents received grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks while select beneficiaries were given bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, mugs, shirts, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
A team from the DSWD also extended financial assistance to the residents to help with their daily needs.
“Tawagin n’yo lang akong Bong Go o Kuya Bong Go. Ang ibig kong sabihin, ‘wag n’yo akong itrato na ibang tao. Parang iisa lang tayo, parang magkakapitbahay lang tayo. Tayo pa namang mga Bisaya, mabigat sa atin ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob. Ako, ginawa n’yo akong senador. Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed.
“Alam n’yo, tao lang ako na napapagod rin. Pero kapag nakikita ko ang aking mga kababayan na masaya ngayong araw ay nawawala ang aking pagod. Makatulong sa inyo, makatulong sa mga nasunugan, makatulong sa mga pasyente, makatulong sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan, at makatulong sa mga proyekto na makakaunlad sa inyong lugar. Pinaka importante sa akin (ay) makaiwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng pagdadalamhati ng ating mga kababayan,” he concluded.
On the same day, Go also provided relief for rice farmers in Alameda. He then went to Matalam and supported aspiring athletes in the Serbisyong Totoo Sports Clinic and led another distribution activity for various sectors.
