Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, widely recognized as “Mr. Malasakit,” reinforced his commitment to serving Filipinos in need as he dispatched his Malasakit Team to provide additional aid to families affected by whirlwind in Surallah and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on Tuesday, June 24, to support their recovery.
“Noon pa man, pangako ko na kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon, sunog, putok ng bulkan, lindol, bagyo, pupuntahan po namin kayo. Makatulong sa abot ng aming makakaya, makabigay ng solusyon sa mga problema, makapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Senator Go said in a video message.
To assist the affected families in starting anew, emergency housing assistance was provided by the national government, aimed at helping victims of calamities repair or rebuild their damaged homes.
“Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito na ating isinulong, makakatanggap po kayo ng emergency housing assistance mula sa gobyerno para makabili ng mga pangunahing materyales tulad ng yero, pako, at iba pang pampaayos ng bahay upang makapagpatayo at makabangon muli,” Go explained.
Highlighting the importance of long-term disaster preparedness, Senator Go also pointed to the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. Signed on December 6, 2024, this law mandates the establishment of permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers across all cities and municipalities in the country. As the principal author and co-sponsor of the legislation, Senator Go emphasized how these centers will safeguard the dignity and well-being of disaster-affected communities while accelerating recovery efforts.
Further reinforcing his advocacy for disaster resilience, Go has also pushed for SBN 188, or the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Act. This proposed legislation aims to establish a dedicated agency responsible for creating adaptive and disaster-resilient communities.
He emphasized that, if enacted, the DDR should prioritize three key areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery with improved building practices.
During the event, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed foodpacks, snacks, shorts, fans, and basketballs and volleyballs to one beneficiary from each municipality which was held at the respective Municipal Social Work and Development Office of Surallah and Lake Sebu.
Additionally, in his message, Senator Go also encouraged those with medical concerns to seek assistance from nearby Malasakit Centers, located at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City and SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital in Surallah.
The Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop, enables poor and indigent patients to conveniently access medical assistance programs. Senator 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 operate nationwide, assisting patients with their medical expenses. According to the DOH, the program has provided aid to over 17 million Filipinos.
“Ako naman bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit Kuya Bong Go, magseserbisyo ako sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo. Magtulungan tayo upang ilapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga Pilipinong pinakanangangailangan,” concluded Senator Go.