PASAY CITY -- Following his efforts in bringing support to former drug users in the town of Sugbongcogon last August 18, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team distribute similar forms of assistance to more recovering persons who used drugs (RPWUDs) in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental on Friday, August 20.
“While we are focused on COVID-19 since this is a battle for survival, that does not mean we lose sight of other battles that this administration has promised to overcome – the battle against illegal drugs, criminality, and CORRUPTION,” Go said.
Senator Go has been supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs as he reiterated, in his video message, his push for a more holistic approach in addressing drug-related concerns.
“Walang tigil po ang ating laban kontra korapsyon, kriminalidad, at iligal na droga. Balanse po ang approach natin diyan: Tapang at Malasakit. Habang patuloy ang ating pagpuksa sa mga drug pushers, hindi rin natin pinapabayaan ang mga drug users na nais na magbagong buhay,” Go explained.
Go filed Senate Bill No. 399 that shall establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province nationwide, under the supervision of the Department of Health.
Under the proposed measure, the centers will provide care, treatment and accommodation to drug dependents. The rehabilitation centers will also provide after-care, follow-up, and social reintegration services, among others.
“Alam ko mahirap ang panahon ngayon dahil nasa krisis pa tayo dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan tayo, at magmalasakit tayo sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino,” he emphasized.
Conducted at Brgy. Mosangot Covered Court, Go’s team proceeded in grouping the 161 beneficiaries into smaller batches and implemented safety and health protocols as they distributed meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.
Select beneficiaries also received a new pair of shoes or a bicycle that they can use amid the limited transportation options. Furthermore, there was also one recipient of a computer tablet, an essential tool for studying under the blended learning set-up.
Go then commended several government agencies for extending additional forms of aid to help victims of substance abuse gain confidence to start life over.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to help with their daily needs. In turn, the Department of Agriculture gave fresh vegetables.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment determined potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood programs.
Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will be giving scholarship grants to those qualified recipients based upon their evaluation.
Gulliber Singsing, 43, conveyed his great appreciation towards the Duterte Administration for its strengthened efforts to end illegal drugs as he realized how substance abuse weakened his physical and mental health.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go sa tulong niya sa aming mga surrenderee. Malaki ang tulong nito sa amin, ipagpatuloy niya lang ang kanyang project, para madami pa siyang matulungan,” said Singsing.
As part of his commitment to enhancing access to quality healthcare services, Senator Go, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, cited the Malasakit Centers in Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital, both in Cagayan de Oro City, where they can take advantage of available medical assistance programs.
The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go to primarily help particularly poor and indigent patients lower their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible.
In line with this, Go advised the public to remain vigilant as the fight against COVID-19 continues, saying, “Mayroon dumating na bagong variant na. Delta variant, delikado po ito, four times more contagious, mas mabilis makahawa ito. Pakiusap lang namin, disiplina ang kailangan at huwag kayong magkumpiyansa.”
Meanwhile, Go supported several infrastructure initiatives in the municipality as part of his commitment to improve the economic development in various underprivileged communities around the country. Among the projects are the rehabilitation of their municipal multi-purpose hall and the improvement of a local road.
Other projects he supported for Misamis Oriental include rehabilitation of roads in Alubijid, Baliangao, Balingasag, Balingoan, Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, and Manticao; acquisition of ambulance units in Balingoan, Cagayan de Oro City, Kinoguitan, Libertad, and Lugait; and flood control projects in Gingoog City, Magsaysay, and Medina.
Furthermore, he also pushed for the construction of water systems in Balingasag, and Jasaan; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City, Initao, and Magsaysay; construction of a public market in Manticao; and improvement and development of Municipal Public Plaza in Lugait.
Continuing his remarks, Senator Go thanked Mayor Romy Gue, Vice Mayor Michelle Abao, Councilors Elvie Ty, Ricky Chua, Nelsi Dagcuta, Cerilo Bongolto, Irene Nuico, Rosemarie Lusterio, Delaila Kho and Tirso Gumahin, and other local officials for their endless support to their community and making certain that their constituents receive necessary support, especially during these challenging times.
“Ito po ang panahon ng pagtutulungan. Hindi po ito ang panahon ng pagsisisihan, hindi po ito ang panahon ng pagsisiraan. Ito po ang panahon ng pagtutulungan at pagmamalasakit sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Maraming salamat po. Mag-ingat kayo, magdasal tayo parati,” he ended. (OSBG)
