Photo by LNC News Team

On Thursday, January 23, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited the Province of Isabela to participate in the celebration of the annual Bambanti Festival held at the Provincial Capitol in Ilagan City.

Bambanti, an Ilocano word for scarecrow, is a festival of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and the resilience of Isabeleños during challenges. Senator Go shared his gratitude for being able to participate in such local celebrations that showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage.

“Lubos akong naniniwala na ang Bambanti Festival ay patuloy na magpapalakas ng turismo sa lugar. Ang tagumpay ng festival na ito ay patunay ng inyong dedikasyon at pagkakaisa upang maipakita sa buong bansa at maging sa buong mundo ang yaman ng ating kultura at ang sipag ng inyong mga mamamayan. Asahan ninyo ang aking patuloy na suporta at serbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya sa anumang inisyatibo na magpapalago sa ating lokal na turismo at ekonomiya,” stressed Go.

Senator Go then showed gratitude to Governor Rodito Albano, Vice Governor Bojie Dy, and the provincial government, as well as other local officials present including Mayor Jose Philip Calderon of Mallig where Go was declared an adopted son of the town, Luna Mayor Adrian Tio, and San Mariano Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Dumalanta for their collaborative efforts of bringing government services closer to their constituents.

Highlighting the festival’s significance, Senator Go stressed the importance of preserving and promoting culture and products distinct in every locality that can promote the economy, boost tourism, and enhance livelihood opportunities for the community.

In support of the local economy, Senator Go co-sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate of Republic Act 11960, known as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. The OTOP program promotes national pride in Filipino-made products while providing small-scale producers opportunities to expand their market reach. By focusing on local specialties, the program aims to elevate the livelihoods of communities and contribute to the nation’s overall economic progress.

To show his support to the community, Senator Go and his Malasakit Team also distributed fans, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to some attendees.

As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go highlighted that there are two Malasakit Centers in the province which are located at Gov. Faustino N. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City and at Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City if they need medical-related assistance.

Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 166 operational centers have helped more than 15 million Filipinos nationwide, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The senator also stressed that he continues to advocate for establishing more Super Health Centers nationwide to bring primary care, medical consultations, and early disease detection closer to grassroots communities.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 600 Super Health Centers nationwide. In Isabela, a total of 19 Super Health Centers are funded with one in Echague and another in Cauayan which Go visited that day.

Aside from the festivities, Go also made sure to provide support to residents in need as he aided indigents in Echague in partnership with the provincial government.

To further support the development of Isabela, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the various initiatives and projects, such as the construction of the Alicia-Angadanan-San Guillermo-Cauayan City- Naguillian Alternate Route, procurement of multicab Ambulances for Ilagan City, among others.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is also known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.#