Bong Go pushes improved health services, eyes Malasakit Center for Mindoro island

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro – Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Friday said he would push for the establishment of a Malasakit Center for the people of Mindoro as part of his agenda to improve the delivery of medical services in the entire country.

“Unang-una pinaka priority ko po to improve the health services throughout the country. Nakikita ko napakadaming government hospitals kulang yung mga kama, naakahilera sa labas ng mga ward yung mga pasyente. Napapanahon na po kung may pera naman ang gobyerno unahin natin sila, mag-alocate tayo ng pondo,” Go said in an ambush interview here.

Go said part of his legislative agenda for health is to enact a law that would allow the establishment of Malasakit Center in more areas in the country to serve more people, including the residents of Mindoro. “Gusto ko po isabatas itong Malasakit Center. At dito po sa Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro isa po sa aking isusulong na magkaroon din po ng sariling Malasakit Center dito sa lugar ninyo. So papatingnan natin yung hospital ninyo rito (kung) may pasilidad para lagyan ng Malasakit Center.” Go said.

So far, there are already 34 Malasakit Centers serving in various areas of the country. A program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, based on Go’s idea, the Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.

Go, who went around San Jose in a motorcade, thanked the people of the town for their enthusiastic welcome. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa napakainit na pagtanggap ng Pilipino sa akin kahit saan po ako pumunta,” he said.

In addition, Go reiterated his plan to promote agriculture and the welfare of the farmers. “Isa po sa aking priority ang agriculture. Mayroon namang programa ang ating national government, si Pangulong Duterte, suportado ko po ito. (kasama na dito) yung mga loan facilities sa farmers, mabigyan sila ng makinarya, abono at alternative livelihood,” Go said.

As part of his agenda for agriculture, Go had earlier called for expanded irrigation services, including alternative irrigation systems, as a pro-active measure to mitigate the perennial dry spell the country experiences.  Likewise, Go vowed to promote the welfare of Mindoro’s indigenous people (IP), known as the Mangyans. In his conversation with the tribe’s leaders and members, Go told them that President Duterte had promoted the welfare of the IPs in Mindanao and they could expect the same treatment.

He also vowed to protect the ancestral domains and look into environmental issues that could impact negatively on their way of life. “Pakikinggan ko palagi ang ating mga kapatid, lalong lalo na yung mga indigenous people kung anong pwedeng maitutulong (natin) sa sa kanila. Kapakanan nila ang titingnan natin kasi minsan nahuhuli sila sa atensyon ng gobyerno,” Go stressed.

To help in the development of Mindoro, Go also committed to support development projects in the island of Mindoro.  Among others, Go cited the P30.8-billion construction of a super bridge that will link Mindoro Island to Batangas, enabling faster and more convenient travel and transfer of goods and services to stimulate economic activities. Activities are on-going for the preparation of terms of reference, feasibility and approved budget for the contract.

Likewise, there are various pending projects in the province awaiting appropriate funding, which include farm-to-market roads, bridges, seawall and the concreting of barangay roads.

Meanwhile, with just a little over two weeks before the May 13, 2019 elections, Go said he remains focused on his campaign despite his leading position in many surveys on the senatorial race. A survey conducted by the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) on April 8-12 showed Go statistically tied at first place with fellow administration candidate Ronald Dela Rosa, with 91.1 percent and 91.3 percent of the votes of respondents, respectively.

“Malayo pa siguro yang survey na yan, ngayon trabaho muna, sipag muna ako sa pangangampanya at hindi ko po naman tinatrato na kampanya lang itong pag-iikot ko. Isa na rin po ito sa paraan na nakakausap ko yung mga tao. Importante po na mapangiti natin sila, marinig ang kanilang hinaing at magawan ng paraan na matulungan,” Go said.

Go said he is committed to fulfill his promise to serve the people and reach out to them to hear their concerns. “Rest assured na pagkatapos ng campaign balik na po ako sa serbisyo. Serbisyo, serbisyo lang po ako sa ating mga kababayan. At pangako ko sa kanila kahit saang sulok po ng Pilipinas papasukin ko talaga kayo para po mapakinggan ang inyong hinaing,” he said.

Aside from health and agriculture, Go’s legislative agenda includes programs for education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens. (Jun Ledesma)