Adopted son of CALABARZON Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team delivered immediate relief to flood-stricken residents of Sta. Cruz, Lumban, and Bay, Laguna, on Tuesday, July 29, after severe flooding displaced hundreds of families.
In partnership with local leaders and volunteers, Go’s Malasakit Team held relief operations where 186 families received much-needed assistance such as food packs, shirts, basketballs and volleyballs, pens, foldable fans, and plastic washbasins.
In Bay, the distribution was conducted at the Maitim Elementary School gym. Meanwhile, in Lumban and Sta. Cruz, the Malasakit Team handed the essential assistance to the respective local government units.
“Ako naman po, kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas—bagyuhin kayo, lindulin kayo, putok ng bulkan—alam n’yo, lindol, umabot ako ng Batanes; putok ng bulkan, sunog, baha sa Aparri, umabot rin po ako—dahil ‘yan naman po ang pinangako ko sa inyo… hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang sa opisina habang ‘yung mga kababayan natin ay nangangailangan ng tulong,” shared Go.
Go reiterated that while emergency relief is essential, it must be paired with institutional reforms and stronger safety nets to protect the poor, displaced, and vulnerable.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also reminded residents to be vigilant against health risks. He encouraged them to seek help from Malasakit Centers, which offer streamlined medical assistance in public hospitals.
The Malasakit Centers Act, or Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, ensures easier access to government medical assistance programs by bringing agencies under one roof. With 167 operational Malasakit Centers across the country, the program has helped more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
In Laguna, Malasakit Centers are located at the Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and the San Pablo City General Hospital.
He is also the principal author and co-sponsor of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient, and fully equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality. The law aims to eliminate dependence on schools and other temporary shelters during emergencies, ensuring that affected families are housed in safer and more dignified facilities.
Go also refiled in the 20th Congress Senate Bill No. 173, or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act. The bill seeks to establish a dedicated government agency tasked with unifying all disaster-related efforts—from risk reduction to recovery and rehabilitation—under a single authority.
Recognizing the risks faced by emergency responders, Go is also pushing for the passage of SBN 669, which seeks to require local government units (LGUs) to grant hazard pay to personnel directly involved in disaster response. The bill acknowledges the bravery and sacrifice of frontliners who risk their lives to help others during calamities.
“Tandaan natin, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” reminded Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo, at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.