DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his support for the Vice Mayor's League of the Philippines and its efforts of bringing government services closer to communities in need during the 3rd Quarter 2023 National Executive Board Meeting held at Dusit Thani Hotel, Davao City on September 6.

The Vice Mayor's League of the Philippines gathered in an assembly, bringing together vice mayors from various regions of the country. The meeting aimed to discuss vital issues and strategies to enhance the lives of Filipinos at the local level.

Go commended the hard work and dedication of the vice mayors in their respective municipalities. He acknowledged the challenges they face daily while striving to improve the lives of their constituents and stressed that despite holding different positions in the government, they all share a common mission – to serve the Filipino people with dedication and compassion.

“I am confident that through our united efforts, we can continue to uplift the lives of our constituents and create lasting positive change. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to public service, embodying the ideals of integrity, compassion, and innovation,” the senator stressed.

“Kung may maitutulong po sa inyong lungsod o bayan, lapitan niyo lang ang aking opisina at tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. Magkakaiba man tayo ng posisyon pero pare-parehas tayong mga lingkod-bayan. Kaya alam ko na pare-parehas lang din tayo ng hangarin na mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.

For his part as a lawmaker and in his pursuit of modernizing government operations and making public services more accessible, Go has filed Senate Bill 194, aptly titled the E-Governance Act. The bill aims to establish an integrated and interconnected information and resource-sharing and communications network that spans national and local governments.

If enacted into law, it shall mandate the creation of an internal records management information system, an information database, and digital portals for the delivery of public services. The utilization of digital platforms and online systems streamlines administrative processes, simplifies public service delivery, and improves citizen engagement.

“Government should always be responsive to the demands of changing times. It is for this reason that I filed the proposed E-Governance Act. Ito ay para mabawasan ang red tape, maiwasan ang korapsyon at inefficiency sa ating burokrasya, at mailapit sa tao ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mabilis, maayos at maaasahang paraan gamit ang teknolohiyang meron tayo ngayon,” he explained.

Moreover, Go as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized the importance of bringing public health services closer to communities through the help of local government units.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program after he personally witnessed the struggles of disadvantaged Filipinos in settling their hospital bills. He successfully pushed for the passage of RA 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored in 2019.

“Ito ay isang malaking hakbang para mapalapit ang gobyerno sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Sa pamamagitan ng Super Health Center, magiging accessible sa inyong komunidad ang primary care, free consultation at early detection ng sakit para maiwasang lumubha pa ito,” he shared.

Super Health Centers offer 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, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.

Lastly, the senator is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the recently passed Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

“It’s a multiyear plan. Halimbawa, kung may problema sa heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, o kahit cancer… ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas ang mga specialty services na ito para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go. (Story and photos from OSBG)