Lower House okays Rep Go bills; Senate deliberations slated

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – House bills focused on health concerns, workers’ benefits and infrastructure filed by Rep. Marquez Go, were approved at the Lower House and set for Senate deliberation.

This was reported by Go during the Punong Barangays’ meeting at the city multi-purpose hall last week.

According to Go, one of the proposed house bills is on the full rehabilitation of Kennon road, as all-weather road to the lowlands.

The road is on a close-open situation now due to weather changes, whereas its opening facilitates travel, saving time and resources for travelers, Go noted.

As for the proposed free dialysis treatment, at least six months is needed for the measure to be fully implemented. Go rued that at least 40,000 individuals are on dialysis in the country, with an estimated 650 patients in Baguio kidney centers.

The four hour blood-cleansing two to three times every week costs P2,500 per session, with Philhealth sponsoring a maximum of 90 dialysis treatments every year.

Golf caddy workers’ health and retirement benefits was also filed through a house bill, Go said.

The welfare of at least 60,000 individuals, through 220 golf clubs nationwide is addressed through this measure, the lawmaker added, a first for the country’s oft-forgotten sector.

Burnham Park as a national heritage park was also the subject of a proposed bill, it was known. Benefits, once the park is a national responsibility include management and training for staff, integration, government commitment for site, and responsible tourism.

Go told barangay heads that infrastructure projects allotted in the past budget shall be properly implemented, with monitoring from the local officials. He also requested for barangay-recommended projects for the 2020 budget hearings.

Go hinted on the filing of a barangay official and community workers’ compensation house-sponsored bill during the next Congress.