GLAN, Sarangani (October 5, 2022) – Some 500 indigent beneficiaries here each received P3,000 cash from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) on Wednesday, October 5. 

The AICS is part of DSWD’s mechanism to provide immediate response to cases of individuals and families in crisis situation through the provision of financial and material assistance. 

The releasing of cash assistance was an initiative of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who also graced the event that was held as part of Glan’s 23rd Lubi-lubi Festival celebration. The festival will culminate on Glan’s founding anniversary on October 8. 

Senator Go gave away grocery packs, meals, vitamins, shirts, balls for volleyball and basketball, and gave bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and watches through a raffle.

Senator Go, who talked about his advocacy on health, said that there are now 52 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide which assist poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

He congratulated the leaders of Glan and its people for the super health center that had its ceremonial groundbreaking earlier that day.  

A super health center, he said, is smaller than a hospital but bigger than a rural health unit. A super health center has a birthing home, dental services, and laboratory. 

Senator Go had pushed for the passage of the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 that was signed into law by then President Rodrigo Duterte. As he said this, he recognized the contribution of former Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, then Congressman and now Sarangani’s Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao, and Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, the erstwhile governor.

Governor Pacquiao expressed his gratitude for the assistance of Senator Go in facilitating billions worth of projects in Sarangani under the administration of President Duterte. 

Meanwhile, Congressman Solon appreciated the successful implementation of Governor Pacquiao’s flagship Sarangani Ronda Probinsya.

He said the Sarangani Ronda Probinsya, his flagship program Sulong Sarangani, and the programs of Mayor Victor James B. Yap Sr. are cohesively implemented in Glan to further the town’s development. 

Senator Go also talked about his advocacy on sports where he encouraged especially the youth to “get into sports and get away from drugs.”

“Ipadayon pod anto ang kampanya sa corruption sa gobyerno, kriminalidad, ug illegal nga droga,” he said. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ?Tres Basena