PASAY CITY -- As Senator Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to support and help more vulnerable sectors nationwide, he sent his team to give relief to more than a thousand bedridden patients in Guiguinto, Bulacan on Thursday, July 8.

"Alam ko po mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino," said Go in a video message.

He also assured them that the government shall provide necessary support amid the ongoing health crisis especially when it comes to the provision of much needed vaccines.

"Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19. Bakuna po ang kailangan natin ngayon para po makamtan natin ang herd immunity ngayong taong ito para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko," he added.

Go’s staff held the relief operation at the Guiguinto Municipal Athletic and Cultural Center where they gave out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to 1,004 bedridden patients with chronic illnesses. Ambulatory patients with non-infectious diseases were able to receive the assistance personally while relatives of bedridden patients received the aid on their behalf.

The distribution activity was held in small batches to ensure necessary health and safety protocols were strictly followed.

Selected recipients were also given new pairs of shoes or bicycles that they can use for a more hassle-free commute given the limited transportation options. Furthermore, other beneficiaries received computer tablets that would benefit their children to easily access educational materials and participate better during classes.

To further help the patients, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each beneficiary with financial assistance through their program for individuals in crisis situations.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, then, assured the beneficiaries with health concerns that the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City or Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria have Malasakit Centers where they can conveniently avail of medical assistance to help settle their health related expenses.

"Mga kababayan ko, kung mayroon ho kayong mga pasyente, mayroon na ho tayong 127 na Malasakit Center na handang tumulong po sa inyo," said Go.

"Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance po, lapitan n'yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa Bulacan Medical Center sa Malolos, Bulacan, mayroon din po sa Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, Bulacan," he added.

The center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical assistance from concerned government agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako, lalung lalo na po sa mahal na Pangulo natin, tsaka po kay Senator Bong Go na nagbigay po ng tulong pinansyal dito sa buong bayan ng Guiguinto para po sa aming mga nangangailangan, lalung lalu na po sa mga nangangailangan ng panggamot,” Glenda Flores said, one of the beneficiaries.

“Malaking tulong po ito kasi po makakapagpa-check up na po ako. Ayun po kasi talaga ang dahilan kaya ako lumapit, kasi kailangan ko ng pampa-check up,” she added.

To boost regional development and economic growth, Go also supported the funding of various infrastructure projects in Guiguinto. Among those are the construction of multi-purpose buildings throughout the town, improvement of local roads including the drainage; and the construction of Bypass Roads leading to Economic Zone in Tabe, Guiguinto.

Go, then, lauded the local government officials for spearheading the recovery and rehabilitation efforts in their communities. Among the officials were Representative Apol Pancho, Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Willy Sy-Alvarado, Mayor Ambrosio "Boy" Cruz Jr., and many others.

“Magkaisa po tayo, siguradong malalampasan natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Salamat po sa inyong tulong mga kababayan ko,” Go ended.

On December 8, Go personally visited Guiguinto to distribute similar assistance to Typhoon Ulysses victims in the town. (OSBG)