PASAY CITY -- As more Filipinos continue to lose their source of income due to the global pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reached out to more displaced workers in Caloocan City as he sent his team to distribute assistance on Wednesday, July 7.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa gitna pa po tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo para malampasan natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” said Go in his video message.

The team of Go enforced the government recommended safety and health protocols as they carried out the distribution activity at Kaunlaran Elementary School. Go’s staff, then, grouped the 204 beneficiaries into smaller batches as they gave out meals, grocery packs, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

Select recipients were given new pairs of shoes, while others received bicycles that they can use to help ease their commute situations. Furthermore, some displaced workers also received computer tablets to help them or their children easily pursue their education under the blended learning set-up.

In addition, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each beneficiary with financial assistance to further support their daily essentials.

Through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, the Department of Labor and Employment conducted an assessment where qualified recipients will be given the opportunity to render ten days of paid community service.

Cecil Rabor, in an interview, shared how she started to struggle to provide for her family as she lost her source of income when the pandemic started. She, then, expressed her appreciation towards the Senator, saying “ako po ay nagpapasalamat kay President Duterte at kay Senador Bong Go dahil nakasali po ako dito sa binigay niyang handog dito. Kahit po pandemic, nagawan po niya ng paraan para mabigyan ang mga tao ng tulong."

As several local government units are gradually rolling out the vaccines for the A5 category, Senator Go advised the beneficiaries to take part in the vaccination program and get inoculated as soon as they are eligible to protect them from COVID-19.

Go, then, reminded them to stay vigilant and compliant with the health preventive measures even after vaccination, saying “habang nagbabakuna tayo sa ngayon, pakiusap namin, sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno. Face mask, face shield, social distancing, at hugas ng kamay. Huwag ho kayong maging kumpiyansa, delikado po ang COVID-19.”

The Senator offered additional assistance as he advised the beneficiaries that they may seek medical attention at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital where there is a Malasakit Center that will conveniently help them with their medical expenses.

The center is a one-stop shop designed to help Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, to gain convenient access to medical programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. To date, there are now 127 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

As part of his vow to help Caloocan City to build back better, Go extended his support for some infrastructure projects, such as the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Brgy. 171 and Brgy. 175.

"Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo, at magbayanihan po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang po kapwa natin mga Pilipino?” expressed Go.

Concluding his message, he commended local government officials who continue to provide much needed support to their constituents amid economic challenges caused by the pandemic. Among the officials were Representative Along Malapitan, Undersecretary and Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, and many others.

On June 23, Go’s staff conducted a similar distribution activity to 612 displaced workers. (OSBG)