PASAY CITY -- An outreach team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go organized a relief effort in Limay, Bataan on Thursday, July 8, for the town’s vulnerable residents who have lost income or become unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go’s team handed out meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 695 beneficiaries at the Limay Central Elementary School in Barangay Townsite. To ensure their health and safety, the activity was conducted in batches and strict compliance with other government-issued protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, they gave new pairs of shoes or bicycles to select residents who walk long distances to get to work. Some were provided computer tablets which their children can use at home for their blended learning activities.

In a separate distribution, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each beneficiary with financial distribution through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Magbayanihan at 'wag kayong mag-alala. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyerno at lalong-lalo hindi kayo pababayaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. We simply need your cooperation para malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito. Makakabangon din tayo muli bilang nagkakaisa at mas matatag na bansa,” Go said in a video message.

The Senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, informed residents with medical or other patient-related concerns that they may conveniently apply for government aid at the Malasakit Centers at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City or the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital in Mariveles town.

The Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that host the concerned agencies with programs that provide medical assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients. These agencies are the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

As further support, Go also encouraged sick residents to reach out to his office through his team or Mayor Nelson David’s office so he can assist them in obtaining the medical treatments or services they need.

“Isa akong single parent at may isang anak. Nagtatrabaho ako sa factory. Nung nagka-pandemic, nabawasan ‘yung oras namin. From four hours na overtime, naging one hour nalang ito. Pamasahe palang, ubos na budget namin,” said Neigie Basbas, 33, a resident of Brgy. Lamao.

”Nagpapasalamat kami sa ating mahal na Presidente Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go para sa mga ibinigay nila sa amin na malaking tulong. Hindi namin inaasahan na mangyayari ito. Maraming salamat dahil kahit hirap ang buhay ngayon ay nagawa pa rin nila kaming maalala,” she continued.

The Senator went on to recognize various public officials for the services and support they extended to the community. He thanked 2nd District Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III, Patrol Party List Rep. Jorge Bustos, Governor Albert Garcia, Vice Governor Ma. Cristina Garcia, Mayor David and Vice Mayor Richie David.

To improve access and accelerate the development in Bataan, Go supported the funding for the concreting of the road in Brgy. Tundol, Limay; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bagac, Orion, Pilar and Hermosa; and construction of the Orani District Hospital in Orani.

Last May 18, Go’s outreach team also delivered various forms of assistance to 1,889 displaced and struggling workers of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles. (OSBG)