PASAY CITY -- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit more underprivileged communities in the country, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte on Friday, July 2.

To protect the well-being of the 100 beneficiaries in attendance at Sapao Central Elementary School, the Senator’s team grouped the recipients into smaller batches as they strictly followed necessary safety and health protocols recommended by the government.

Go’s staff, then, gave meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the farmers and fisherfolk. Some beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes that they can use while others were given bicycles.

Computer tablets were also given to few beneficiaries so that their children would engage better during their classes under the blended learning approach.

Go also urged the public to trust and support the vaccination program and get inoculated once they are eligible.

“Ang target po natin makamtan ngayong taong ito ay population protection at herd immunity po para naman po unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” reminded Go.

“Mga kababayan ko, habang patuloy na pong dumarating ang mga bakuna, pakiusap lang ho namin ni Pangulong Duterte magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna,” Go said.

“Sa mga LGUs natin, nakikiusap po ako. Suyurin po ang dapat suyurin para po mabakunahan na po ‘yung mga senior citizens natin na hindi po nakakalabas ng bahay,” he added.

Go, then, commended various government agencies which offered additional assistance to further help elevate the lives of essential workers who were greatly affected by the national health crisis.

Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each beneficiary with financial assistance, while the Department of Agriculture handed out supplies of vegetable seeds.

The Department of Trade and Industry conducted an assessment where qualified individuals will be given livelihood support through their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment evaluated recipients who will have the opportunity to be compensated after rendering community work under their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

Personnel from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, then, determined beneficiaries who can take part of their scholarship programs and livelihood trainings.

Through the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide Convergence Program, more forms of support were given to the farmers and fisherfolk as part of the government’s efforts to provide necessary aid to the most affected communities in times of calamities and emergencies.

To further help beneficiaries or their loved ones with health concerns, the Chair of Senate Committee on Health advised them to visit any Malasakit Center in the region. The following day after the distribution of assistance, Go personally witnessed the launching of the Malasakit Center at the Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa town where the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, will assist them to lower their medical expenses.

Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all DOH-run hospitals, and in the Philippine General Hospital to ensure that Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical programs offered by the concerned agencies.

To boost economic development in Surigao del Norte, go supported several projects, such as the construction of a farm-to-market road in Claver, improvement of Baoy River flood control in Gigaquit, rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Pilar, and many more.

To further improve the capabilities of Siargao Island Medical Center, Go sponsored Republic Act No. 11500 which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte recently. Under the said measure, it seeks to enhance the efficiency of SIMC by increasing its bed capacity from 50 to 100, upgrading professional healthcare services and facilities, and allowing to hire more medical staff.

Concluding his message, Go lauded Representative Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas, Governor Francisco Matugas, Mayor Fernando Dolar, Vice Mayor Arwela Dolar, and other local officials for their service to their constituents amid crisis situations. (OSBG)