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Caviteños lauded for role in economic uplift

CAVITE -- Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Tuesday lauded Caviteños for their role in the economic development of the country, and assured them of bringing their voice to President Rodrigo Duterte

Go gave the assurance in his message at the Ugnayan sa Barangay event at the Capitol Hills Executive Subdivision Phase 1 Covered Court in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

Go said Cavite is an important contributor to the country’s economic growth given its location and business-friendly environment.

"Malaki ang naitutulong ng mga Caviteño sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Kung kaya’t ginagawa ng pangulo ang lahat ng makakakaya niya para mas mapalago pa ang probinsiya ninyo,” he said.

Go was warmly welcomed by the entourage of Cavite Governor and congressional candidate Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, former Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, Cavite Board Member and PBMLP National Board Ryan Enriquez, Trece Martires mayoral candidate Gemma Lubigan, as well as other local leaders of the area.

The Duterte government, through the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program, has earmarked several important projects that would spur even more growth and development in the province and its people, according to Go.

Among others, right-of-way acquisition-related activities are ongoing for the PHP35.43 billion project consisting of a 44.63-km closed system Cavite-Laguna Expressway connecting the CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite and SLEX in Binan, Laguna.

Also ongoing are preconstruction activities for the PHP64.9 billion LRT Line 1 Cavite extension, starting from the Baclaran station to the future station at Niyog in Bacoor, Cavite.

Go added that a Malasakit Center will soon open in Cavite.

Similar to what happened on Tuesday morning at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery, Batangas, the government plans to launch a Malasakit Center in Cavite to cater to the need for financial and medical assistance of poor and disadvantaged residents of the province.

"Mahalaga ang kalusugan ng mamamayan para mas makatulong sa paglago ng pamumuhay ng pamilya kaya kailangan natin tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga may sakit," Go told the audience.

Malasakit Center, a brainchild of former Go and President Rodrigo Duterte, is a one-stop shop initiative where PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, and other relevant government satellite offices are housed together in one location to ease the process for patients in need of speedy medical and financial assistance.

There are presently 20 Malasakit Centers operating in various parts of the Philippines.

Go intends to add to this number through a law that would mandate the creation of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers of the country.

Related to the Malasakit Center, Go also stressed the need to increase available hospital beds for patients in crowded public hospitals.

"Huwag natin pahirapan ang mga may sakit na pasyente; bigyan natin silang may sakit ng tamang higaan para gumaling sila nang maayos," Go said.

Meanwhile, Go emphasized the need to protect the welfare of barangay officials as well as barangay health workers by providing proper compensation and benefits packages and by pushing for a Magna Carta for Barangays.

Go said he is also supporting the move to extend the current term of elected barangay officials so that they can have more time to cater to the needs of their constituents.

The term of current barangay officials has been cut short to two years due to the postponement of the last barangay elections.

"Sila po ang frontliners natin sa pagharap sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga barangay. Pagdating sa droga o sa kalusugan, sila ang ating maaasahaan kaya kailangan natin silang bigyan ng pagpapahalaga," Go added. (PR)

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