BONG GO FILES SENATE RESOLUTION COMMENDING HIDILYN DIAZ FOR CLINCHING THE COUNTRY’S FIRST OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL; VOWS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ALL FILIPINO ATHLETES

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, on Tuesday, July 27, filed a Senate resolution commending Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for winning the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games being held in Tokyo, Japan. The achievement ends a 97-year gold medal drought for the Philippines. speech, Go said that Diaz has proven time and again that she not only possesses the skill but the willpower and sheer determination as well, exemplifying the true spirit of Filipino competitiveness.

“She ruled the competition with a total score of 224kg to win in such an incredible and emphatic fashion that propelled her to the top. Indeed, this will be marked as one of the greatest sporting moments in Philippine history,” said Go.

The Senator also extended his full support to other Filipino athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics, adding that his office is always open to provide the assistance they need.

“Nais ko pong ipagbigay alam po na ako po’y nandirito lang po na

nasa likod, handang tumulong sa tahimik na paraan. Bukas po ang aking opisina sa kahit anumang tulong, pinansiyal o ano pa mang assistance na aking pwedeng mabigay even in my own personal capacity,” he said.

“Handa akong pumagitna kung kinakailangang maghanap ng kahit anong suporta galing sa gobyerno at maging sa private sector. Katulad na lamang po kay Hidilyn, hindi po ako nagatubili na magpaabot ng tulong sa paghahanap ng sponsor para sa kanyang additional na pangangailangan at sa pag-troubleshoot ng problemang kanyang kinaharap noong mga nakaraang taon po habang nag-eensayo para sa Olympics,” he added.

In 2019, Go played a key part in securing a PhP2 million sponsorship arrangement between Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Diaz, which was used to fund her training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Diaz earlier expressed her gratitude for the support she has received. She told reporters then that the financial support will allow her to train and compete in other events in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. Go, in his speech, also suggested to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the promotion of Diaz to Staff Sergeant from her current rank as Sergeant.

“Ito po ay dahil sa malaking karangalan na dinala ni Hidilyn sa ating bayan na lubos nating ipinagmamalaki bilang mga Pilipino. Siya po ay miyembro ng Air Force po, sa ating Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Go said.

Go then mentioned that he is one with the nation in celebrating Diaz’s victory, adding that she is an inspiration to all Filipinos to strive hard and face life’s challenges.

“Ako po ay lubos na nakikiisa sa buong sambayanan sa pagkilala at pagpapaabot ng papuri sa ating kababayan na si Hidilyn Diaz na isang patunay at sumasalamin sa napakaraming Pilipino na gaya niya, na nagsusumikap at nagpapakita po ng lakas ng loob sa pagharap sa araw-araw na hamon ng buhay,” Go said.

“Sila ay tunay ngang inspirasyon sa bawat Pilipino na sa kabila ng kahit anong bigat ng kanilang pinapasan sa buhay kapag nagpakita ng determinasyon at pusong manalo ay makakamtan nito sa ating inaasam na tagumpay. Nakakaproud din po, isa rin siyang taga-Mindanao,” he added.

The resolution lauding Diaz stated that “the astounding performance, commitment and unrelenting spirit of Filipino competitiveness and excellence shown by Hidilyn Diaz truly deserves to be commended for the recognition and distinction she has brought to the country.”

Her achievement also makes her the first female Filipino athlete to earn an Olympic medal. She also holds the distinction of being the first Mindanaoan to win an Olympic medal.

basketball player, said that the country should take further steps to support Filipino athletes in various sporting events.

“Patunay ang panalo na Hidilyn na kung magpopokus tayo sa iba’t ibang larangan ng sports, malaki ang pagkakataon nating manalo pa ng mga gintong medalya sa susunod pang mga Olympics,” Go said.

The Senator has long been an advocate of long-term sports development. Prior to winning as a senator, he served as the head of delegation of the Philippine national basketball team to the Asian Qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Upon assuming office in the Senate, one of the first bills that he filed is the proposed National Academy of Sports, which seeks to establish a school for athletes in New Clark City. The measure was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 9, 2020.

Following a request from the PSC through Go, the Office of the President has also approved additional allowance worth 100,000 pesos on top of what has already been provided to athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also ensured that adequate funding is included in the PSC’s budget this year to support athletes’ preparations for the Olympics and other international events.

Specifically, he pushed for an additional 100 million pesos to be included in the 2021 budget which was later on increased further to 250 million pesos under the PSC for Olympic preparations. As for the Paralympics, Go earlier supported the allocation of an additional PhP7.945 million budget for their preparations.

The Senator has also successfully appealed to the government to include Filipino athletes and other delegates who will compete or participate in the ongoing Olympics in the priority list for COVID-19 vaccination. He has also pushed for legislation to safeguard athletes’ welfare as part of the country’s sports development programs. Previously, he expressed his support for the establishment of the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan. Go highlighted that together with the National Academy of Sports, both institutions are gifts from the government to national athletes.

The PSC on the other hand has consistently provided support and assistance to national athletes such as Hidilyn Diaz including salaries, training allowances, international expenses and competition needs as well as hiring of a special training team composed of international coach, psychologist, medical team, nutritionist and conditioning coach, among others.

The Office of the President also previously provided additional financial incentives for medalists in previous international competitions since 2016 on top of what is provided by law. July 24-30, 2021 | 43

As Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Disaster Resilience Act of 2019, he and his team remain determined to help affected communities recover quickly from calamities. Just recently, Go’s team conducted twoday relief efforts for 1,061 families from July 25 to 26 in Arteche, Eastern Samar. Held at San Roque Gym, Go’s personnel grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches while they strictly adhered to safety and health protocols recommended by the government. In his video message, Go highlighted the significance of creating a focused department that would address natural calamities, especially that the country’s geographical location is extremely prone to weather disturbances. Under the proposed measure, the Department of Disaster

Typhoon victims in Arteche, Eastern Samar receive assistance from

Bong Go’s team Resilience will unify and streamline all responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response, functions that are presently scattered across various departments and offices. “Bago pa dumating ang bagyo, mayroon na hong makikipagcoordinate sa LGUs, preposition of goods at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar,” said Go. “At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy kaagad, maibalik kaagad sa normal ang pamumuhay ng

mga kababayan natin. ‘Yan po ang layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience,” Go added, emphasizing that the creation of the DDR remains one of the priority legislative measures of the administration as mentioned in the President’s recent State of the Nation Address.

Meanwhile, Go also mentioned in his remarks that there are reported cases of the new Delta variant of COVID-19. Given that the said variant is more contagious, Go urged the public to strictly follow health preventive measures and take part in the vaccination program to further boost their immune system against the virus.

The Senator, then, called the attention of local government units to ensure that doses are administered immediately to eligible residents once delivered to their communities.

If needed, Go said officials should be able to vaccinate senior citizens in their respective homes as they are considered the most vulnerable to the virus.

“Inuuna po namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kalusugan at buhay po ng bawat Pilipino. Kailangan po namin ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng bawat isa.” said Go.

“Mga kababayan ko, ang target po natin ngayong taon ay population protection at sa susunod naman po ang herd immunity, ‘yung hindi na po kakalat ang sakit,” he added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also encouraged the beneficiaries to visit the Malasakit Center in Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City if they may need medical assistance.

Signed into law in 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Malasakit Centers Act mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to ensure indigent patients can conveniently access medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go’s staff proceeded in handing out essentials to typhoon victims, such as grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Others, then, received new pairs of shoes and bicycles.

As an advocate for quality education, Go also sent computer tablets to some beneficiaries so that their children would be able to conveniently access educational materials for their classes.

“Sa mga kabataan, mag-aral po kayo nang mabuti, kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito. Bagama’t distance learning tayo, ang importante po ay makapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral,” said Go.

Several government agencies were

also in attendance and extended additional support as representatives from DSWD granted the beneficiaries with financial assistance. More so, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed individuals who can avail of their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

The Senator, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, also extended his support in the construction of farm-to-market roads in Brgy. Tangbo-Beri, and the acquisition of an ambulance unit for Arteche town.

He also helped in allotting sufficient funding for infrastructure development in the province such as for the construction of multipurpose buildings in Jipapad, Maydolong, and Oras; acquisition of ambulance units in Maslog, Quinapondan, and Taft; drainage improvement in Can-Avid, and Taft; road rehabilitation in Balangkayan, Dolores, General Macarthur, Giporlos, Jipapad, Lawaan, Marabut, Mercedes, Quinapondan, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft.

Ending his message, he thanked Representative Maria Fe Abunda, Governor Ben Evardone, Vice Governor Marica Sison, Mayor Roland Boie Evardone, Vice Mayor Rolando Evardone, and other local government officials for serving their constituents towards recovery amid various crisis situations.

Bong Go sends aid to thousands of essential workers in Baroy, Lanao del Norte; urges them to get vaccinated to help country reach herd immunity

As he continues to encourage the public to take part in the national vaccination program, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to helping build back communities that were greatly affected by the global pandemic.

In his video message, Go appealed to the 1,691 beneficiaries in Baroy, Lanao del Norte to get vaccinated as this would serve as an added protection against COVID-19. Go said that they should not fear the vaccines, and fear the virus instead especially amid the emergence of a more contagious Delta variant.

He further expressed his optimism as he said that ‘there is light at the end of the tunnel’ in ending the global pandemic as long as Filipinos stay vigilant and comply with health preventive measures.

Go’s team carried out a two-day relief operation from July 26 to 27 for more than a thousand transport workers, vendors, farmers, and fisherfolk in Baroy. “Sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga transport workers, vendors, farmers and fisherfolk, diyan sa Baroy sa Lanao del Norte, kumusta na kayo? Magtulungan lang tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di kapwa nating Pilipino,” said Go.

“Kung nasa priority list na kayo, pakiusap lang magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para untiunti tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay gaya noon. Pakiusap lang namin, disiplina at kooperasyon lang,” he added.

Held at Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School, Go’s staff grouped the essential

workers into smaller batches a day to ensure efficient distribution and implemented necessary safety and health protocols as they handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

In addition, some recipients received new pairs of shoes and bicycles while others were given computer tablets that would benefit their children who are studying under the blended learning set-up.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, provided each qualified beneficiary with financial assistance in a separate distribution.

The Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated beneficiaries for their respective livelihood programs.

Additionally, the Department of Health gave hygiene kits while the Department of Agriculture handed out plant seeds. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority determined individuals for their scholarship program. To further assistresidents with health concerns, Go encouraged them to visit Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, or Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan, where there are Malasakit Centers available. To date, there are already 130 established nationwide.

As Go continues to push for measures that would improve healthcare services in the country, he primarily authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 that mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the DOH, plus Philippine General Hospital, to establish their own Malasakit Centers to assist low-income Filipinos to reduce their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible.

“Dalawa na ang Malasakit Center diyan sa inyong lugar, lapitan niyo lang, handa ‘yang tumulong sa inyo; zero balance ang target ng Malasakit Center,” Go said.

As he concluded his message, Go expressed his gratitude towards Mayor Rosa Olaffson, Councilor Edwin Ong, Brgy. Captain Teresita Olmedo, and other local government officials for making sure that their community fully recovers despite economic

challenges brought by the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go also showed his support by pushing for funding for the improvement of the evacuation center in Baroy. He also helped in pushing for other infrastructure initiatives in Lanao Del Norte such as the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bacolod, and Lala; road rehabilitation in Iligan City, Magsaysay, and Munai; purchasing of one ambulance unit in Kapatagan; new medical equipment for Gregorio T. Lluch Hospital in Iligan City; construction of flood control and drainage structure in Lala; rehabilitation of public markets in Magsaysay, and Iligan City; and construction of multipurpose buildings in Iligan City, Kauswagan, Magsaysay, Nunungan, Pantao Ragat, Pantar, Salvador, Tangcal, and Tubod.

“Pakiusap lang namin sa inyo, kailangan namin ang inyong kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino. Mag-ingat kayo palagi at magdasal tayo palagi. At tandaan ninyo mahal namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte,” he said.