Davao City – Emphasizing his dedication to improving local infrastructure, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, April 28, personally participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed barangay hall and inspected new local and farm-to-market roads in Barangay Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.
The funding for these local infrastructure projects were advocated and supported by Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Commemorating the Araw ng Brgy. Tambo Celebration, Go expressed his gratitude to the local officials, including IGACOS Mayor Al David Uy, Vice Mayor Toto Reyes, and Brgy. Tambo Captain Johnel Montes, among others, for their tireless dedication to address the needs and concerns of their constituents.
In his speech, Go stressed the importance of continuing infrastructure development to uplift lives in communities given the critical role it plays in the local economy.
“Nananawagan po ako na ipagpatuloy natin ang Build, Build, Build program ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, lalo na kung ito ay para sa ikakaganda at ikakaunlad ng bansa,” Go urged.
“Nagpapasalamat rin po ako kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. I am happy that President Bongbong Marcos is committed to implement more infrastructure projects through the ‘Build Better More’ program lalo na ‘yung mag-promote ng interconnectivity sa ating bansa,” he previously expressed.
The senator likewise supported the funding for the construction of several roads, including the road from Crossing Toril, Babak to Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; the road from San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road at the Port of Brgy. Sta. Cruz to Brgy. Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District.
“Kung ano man po ang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Samal, (tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya). Kaya maraming salamat sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Samal sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap. Magtulungan lang po tayong lahat,” he expressed.
Apart from the said projects, Go also supported other initiatives in the island, including the water system project in Brgys. Pangubatan, Libertad, San Remigio, and Kinawitnon: a multipurpose building in Brgy. Miranda; and construction of bypass road Jct. Babak-Samal-Kaputian Road Brgy. San Antonio, Tagpopongan, Phase 2, IGACOS Circumferential Road.
The senator then assured fellow Davaoeños that he remains committed to championing their welfare and promoting rural development as he likewise led a relief operation for struggling residents from Brgys. Tambo, San Isidro, and Miranda.
Held at Brgy. Isidro covered court, Go and his team assisted a total of 1,100 individuals and gave away grocery packs, vitamins, masks and snacks. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, watches, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged residents to seek the services of the nearby Malasakit Centers at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and at Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.
The Malasakit Center houses relevant agencies where patients can conveniently avail medical assistance programs, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are now 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
The senator likewise cited that the DOH continuously assesses areas where Super Health Centers will be constructed. In Samal Island, Go personally attended the groundbreaking of its SHC last December.
A Super Health Center is an improved version of a rural health unit. It offers health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Through the efforts of Go and fellow lawmakers, some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022 and another 322 in 2023. (PR-Office Sen. Bong Go)
