Press Release - Bong Go aids disadvantaged residents from various towns of Sarangani

The Office of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues to provide relief to struggling communities as its personnel visited Sarangani province on Saturday, November 25, to provide assistance to vulnerable residents.

Held at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol in Alabel capital town, the senator's team handed out shirts, vitamins, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 300 indigents. They also gave away a watch, a mobile phone, a pair of shoes to select individuals.

In coordination with Governor Ruel Pacquiao and Congressman Steve Solon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended livelihood grants to qualified beneficiaries from the towns of Kiamba, Maitum, Maasim, Alabel, Malapatan, Glan and Malungon.

In his message, Go acknowledged the difficulties caused by various crises and disasters such as the recent earthquake that hit the province and pledged to continue supporting the underprivileged and marginalized populations throughout the country.

"'Yung mga mahihirap, sila po ang pinakaapektado ng sitwasyon ngayon. Kung kaya't pagdating sa serbisyo mula gobyerno, dapat talaga silang gawing prayoridad," emphasized Go.

"Unahin natin ang mga mahihirap at pagsilbihan natin sila upang sila ay makabangon muli at maibalik sa normal ang kanilang pamumuhay. Magseserbisyo po ako sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya," he reiterated.

Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go extended further aid to those with health-related needs. He urged them to utilize the medical assistance available at the nearby Malasakit Center located at the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which aims to reduce the hospital bills of particularly poor and indigent patients to the lowest amount possible. It brings together the agencies which offer medical assistance, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. It has assisted more