PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s staff delivered supplemental aid to the families being relocated in compliance with the Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling directing the national government to clean, rehabilitate, and preserve the Manila Bay.

The staff provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to 133 beneficiaries at the Capunitan Elementary School in Orion, Bataan on Friday, July 9. The distribution was held in batches to ensure all health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.

Furthermore, select beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes while some were given bicycles so they can get around easily. Others were also provided computer tablets which their children can use for their blended learning activities.

“Mga kababayan, patuloy na umiikot ang ating opisina diyan sa Bataan upang bisitahin at magbigay ng tulong sa mga kapitbayan niyo. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo. Hirap talaga ang sitwasyon natin ngayon pero ‘wag kayo mag-alala dahil magtulungan tayo para malagpasan natin ang pagsubok na ito,” Go said in a video message.

“Kapit lang tayo. Kung may maitutulong pa kami ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, ‘wag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa aming opisina dahil trabaho namin ang magserbisyo sa inyo,” he added.

As further support from the national government, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance in a separate distribution. The provincial government of Bataan had previously provided each family with the same aid to help tide them over as they await to be relocated to a nearby area outside the critical flood zone and resume their fishing activities in the Manila Bay.

The Senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, also offered assistance to those in need of medical care. He advised them to seek medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Centers at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City and Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital in Mariveles town.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which simplifies access to the medical assistance programs offered by various national agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

There are currently 128 Malasakit Centers since the program was initiated by Go in 2018, the latest of which opened on July 10 at the Lianga District Hospital in Surigao del Sur.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa mga biyaya ninyo para sa amin, Senator Bong Go. Sana matulungan niyo ang aking mga anak sa kanilang pag-momodule. Hirap sila sa maliit na cellphone at wala kaming pambili ng tablet dahil pandemic ngayon at hindi sapat ang aming kita sa palaisdaan,” said Maileen Aure, 42.

“Senator Bong, salamat sa munting handog niyo sa amin. Malaking tulong ito para sa pang-araw-araw namin na pangangailangan. Nananawagan din po ako sa inyo at sa Pangulo para sa aking komunidad dahil kailangan namin ng dagdag na tulong para makabili ng mga materyales at matapos ang mga bahay nalilipatan namin,” added Joan Marsilia, 43.

Concluding his message, the Senator recognized various public officials for the support and assistance they have given to the community. They included 2nd District Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III, Governor Albert Garcia, Vice Governor Ma. Cristina Garcia, Mayor Antonio Raymundo, Jr. Vice Mayor Rex Fuster and Punong Barangay Ernesto de Luna.

To help boost the economic opportunities and further improve the delivery of public services in Bataan, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier supported the funding for the construction of a multi-purpose building in Barangays Daan Bilolo, Puting Buhangin and Villa Angeles as well as the rehabilitation of the river wall project in Orion.

He also helped in other projects, including the construction or improvement of the multi-purpose buildings in Bagac, Hermosa, Mariveles, Pilar and Balanga City; concreting of the Kawayan Kiling farm-to-market road in Pilar and Brgy. Tundol road in Limay; improvement of the Laguit Road in Bagac; installation of LED streetlights along the secondary national roads, Orani Public Market access roads and common terminal; construction of a drainage canal at Catmon Road; construction of a slaughterhouse in Hermosa; construction of the Orani District Hospital; and purchase of two ambulances for Samal town in Bataan, among others.

Go's staff also organized a separate relief effort at the Limay Central Elementary School in Brgy. Townsite, Limay the previous day, July 8, for 695 vulnerable residents who lost incomes or were unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senator on May 18 also personally attended the presentation and signing of the Deed of Donation for the land on which the Philippine Sports Training Center will be built in Bagac. (OSBG)