01/11/2025
Senator B**g Go advocates for inclusive local development as he visits hometown in Lupon, Davao Oriental to further boost support for recovering quake victims, vulnerable sectors
Senator Christopher “B**g” Go personally visited Lupon, Davao Oriental on Thursday, October 30, to extend assistance to more than a thousand beneficiaries from various sectors, including women, persons with disabilities, farmers, and indigenous peoples affected by the series of earthquakes.
In coordination with Board Member Don Montojo, Mayor Santos Alonzo Jr., and Vice Mayor Atty. Christian Lawrence Go, the senator and his Malasakit Team supported an aid distribution at the New Gymnasium in Lupon.
A total of 1,233 beneficiaries received shirts, fans, bags, vitamins, pens, basketballs and volleyballs from the senator. Selected recipients also received bicycles, shoes, phones, and watches.
Meanwhile, he also commended the provision of additional financial aid from the national government to qualified beneficiaries to help them recover.
“Ang tulong na ito mula sa isa sa mga programa ng gobyerno ay para makatulong sa ating mga mahihirap na manggagawang Pilipino na kapos ang kita. Basta po pro-poor at taumbayang nangangailangan talaga ang makikinabang, susuportahan ko,” Go said.
“Ito ay isang hakbang upang masuportahan ang ating mga manggagawa sa harap ng mga pagsubok sa ekonomiya at mga krisis na ating hinaharap ngayon tulad ng lindol,” he added.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various projects in Lupon such as road improvements, Construction of Multi-Purpose Buildings, health facilities, among others.
Meanwhile, Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, also encouraged those with health issues to seek medical aid from the nearby Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati 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, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has aided more than 17 million Filipinos.
Senator Go also discussed his legislative efforts aimed at improving the welfare of Filipinos, especially those in the grassroots.
He underscored the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and fire prevention. As the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, Go emphasized the need for permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality to safeguard the dignity and well-being of disaster-affected Filipinos.
“Ako po ay nakikiusap sa mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno. Bigyang prayoridad and evacuation centers dahil batas naman po ito kesa nasasayang sa flood control na ginagawang gatasan ng iilan po,” Go said.
To further institutionalize support for the elderly, Go filed Senate Bill No. 411, which seeks to establish a national senior citizens hospital if enacted.
Go also filed SBN 680, or the proposed Post-harvest Facilities in Every Agricultural Municipality, which if enacted, mandates the construction of warehouses and rice mills in rice-producing areas.
He further filed SBN 681, or the proposed Fertilizer Subsidy for Farmers, which if enacted, seeks to provide financial assistance to farmers and reduce their production costs, especially during times of agricultural uncertainty.
During the relief activity, the senator also bought local snacks such as boiled eggs, p**o, and peanuts from a local vendor, which he shared with attendees to encourage support for small businesses. “Tangkilikin natin ang sariling atin,” he said.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo. Naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Panginoon,” Go concluded.
