SEN. Bong Go, in coordination with Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, has personally provided additional support to various sectors including persons with disabilities, child development workers, senior citizens, barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) and barangay tanods in Batangas City, Batangas, on Nov. 21.
The senator is an adopted son of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region, with familial roots in Batangas through his Tesoro side.
"Many thanked me, but in truth, I should be the one to say thank you because you gave me an opportunity to serve you," said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his dedication to serving Filipinos in need.
"I won't put to waste that opportunity you gave me. I will work for the Filipinos and that is what I want to offer, my vice to serve you," added Go.
Go and his Malasakit team also distributed snacks, shirts, basketballs and volleyballs to around 2,500 individuals who attended the event held at the Dreamzone Capitol in Batangas City. Shoes, bicycles, mobile phones and watches were also given to select recipients.
Go acknowledged the officials present in the aid distribution for their unwavering support for the Batangueños, including Governor Mandanas and Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, among others.
In his address, Senator Go highlighted that barangay staff are the frontline representatives of the government.
"We salute all of you, especially our BHWs (barangay health workers), barangay tanod and BNS because the services you render are no joke," said Go.
As an advocate for grassroots development, the senator also discussed two key pieces of legislation he is pushing which are aimed at supporting BHWs: Senate Bill (SB) 197, also known as the Magna Carta for Barangay, and SB 427, or the Barangay Health Workers Compensation Act.
Go also filed SB 2504, aimed at increasing the salary schedule of civilian personnel in the Philippine government. If enacted into law, the bill, known as "Salary Standardization Law VI," seeks to amend and improve the provisions outlined in Republic Act (RA) 11466, or the Salary Standardization Law 5.
Go also highlighted the recent legislative achievements designed to enhance support for senior citizens. Among these is RA 11982, which he co-authored and co-sponsored. The law extends the cash gift program to include Filipinos ages 80, 85, 90 and 95, each receiving P10,000, complementing the P100,000 incentive already available to centenarians.
Additionally, he mentioned RA 11916, which he co-authored to amend the Senior Citizens Act and increase the social pension for indigent senior citizens. This adjustment, he said, aims to "alleviate the daily struggles of our elderly, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan."
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, and as a health reform crusader, Go extended aid to affected residents who may need medical assistance. The senator cited a Malasakit Center at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
On the same day, Go attended the inauguration of the super health center in Malvar town and the turnover of ambulances for Malvar and Santa Teresita. He also aided a thousand indigents in Parañaque.
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