Bong Go celebrates vibrancy of Isabela during Bambanti Fest in Ilagan City

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the Bambanti Festival in Ilagan City, Isabela on Thursday, January 25.

This festival, renowned for its colorful and vibrant celebrations, highlights the rich cultural heritage and beauty of the province.

In his speech, Go commended the local government, led by Governor Rodito Albano and Vice Governor Bodjie Dy, for inviting him to take part of the event that not only showcases the province’s cultural splendor but also brings together its communities in a spirited celebration. He expressed admiration for the way the festival highlights the unique attributes and traditions of Isabela.

“Nandirito po ako para bumati sa inyo ng Happy Bambanti Festival sa inyong lahat. At nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyong suporta, sa tiwalang ibinigay ninyo sa akin. At patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” Go vowed.

(I am here to greet all of you a Happy Bambanti Festival. And I thank you for your support, for the trust you have given me. I will continue to serve you to the best of my ability.)

“Alam n’yo parati ko pong naririnig na pinapasalamatan po kami ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Sa totoo lang po, huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami po’y mga probinsyano lamang na taga-Davao na binigyan n’yo po ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa mga taga-Isabela,” Go remarked. 

(You know, I always hear that we are being thanked by former President (Rodrigo) Duterte. Honestly, please don’t thank us. We are just provincials from Davao whom you have given the opportunity to serve you. We are the ones who should be thankful to you. Many, many thanks to the people of Isabela.)

A significant part of his agenda includes the continued support for the operations of the Malasakit Centers program. These centers play a crucial role in making medical assistance programs more accessible, especially to the underprivileged. 

There are currently 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including those at Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City and the Governor Faustino N. Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City, and these have assisted more or less 10 million indigent Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go to ensure Filipinos have convenient access to medical assistance programs from government. 

Additionally, Go reiterated his support for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. These centers are envisioned to further enhance healthcare delivery by providing basic medical services at a more localized level, thereby easing the burden on larger hospitals and making healthcare more reachable to the grassroots.

Through the collective efforts of DOH, local government units and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024. DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

In the province, there are a total of 18 Super Health Centers funded. On the same day, Go witnessed the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Echague and inspected another in Mallig where he was declared an adopted son of the town. 

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

“Prayoridad po ‘yan ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. At proud po akong ibalita sa inyo na nakakuha po tayo ng 24-0 na boto sa Senado para maisabatas po ito. It’s a multi-year plan of the government para ilapit natin ‘yung serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Iyan po ang Specialty Center,” he continued. 

(That is a priority of our beloved President Bongbong Marcos. I am proud to report to you that we have received a unanimous 24-0 vote in the Senate to enact this. It’s a multi-year plan of the government to bring medical services closer to our fellow countrymen. That is the Specialty Center.)

On the same day, Go also made rounds to inspect several infrastructure initiatives he had supported in Mallig. These included the enhancement of the public market and a bridge construction. Additionally, Go’s staff checked the ongoing road concretion efforts in Cauayan.

Earlier in the day, Go was present in Kalinga. There, he participated in the 2024 Kalinga Provincial Athletic Meet held in Rizal and also inspected the progress of the Bono-Bongat Road construction, funding for which Go successfully pushed as the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.

“Nandito ako para makatulong sa mga proyektong makakapagpaunlad sa komunidad, makatulong sa mga pasyente, ilapit ang serbisyo medikal sa pamamagitan ng mga Malasakit Centers, Super Health Center, at Regional Specialty Center, at makaiwan po ng kaunting kasiyahan sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go stressed. 

(I am here to contribute to projects that will promote community development, assist patients, bring medical services closer through Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers, and leave a little joy during your times of sorrow.)

READ: Bong Go sponsors bill for regional specialty centers, better healthcare access

“Panahon ng bagyo dito tumulong talaga ako. At patuloy po akong tutulong sa abot ng aking makakaya. Mayroon lang po akong sasabihin sa inyo at sana po ay maalala ninyo ito sa mahabang panahon — Minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he advised. 

(During the stormy weather here, I truly extended my help. And I will continue to help to the best of my ability. I just want to say something to you, and I hope you remember this for a long time — We only pass through this world once. Whatever goodness or assistance we can offer to our fellow beings, let’s do it now because we won’t return to this world.)

“Ako po ang inyong Senator kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos. Mga taga-Isabela, mga minamahal kong kababayan, mahal na mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat,” he ended. 

(I am your senator, Kuya Bong Go, continuously serving all of you. Because I believe that serving the people is serving God. People of Isabela, my beloved fellow countrymen, I love you all very, very much.)