PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, July 13, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent assistance to hundreds of women beneficiaries in Cebu City as part of the Senator’s commitment to support more vulnerable sectors that were hit hard by the global pandemic.

“Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

“Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, lalo na ‘yung mga walang matakbuhan, ipaglalaban namin 'yan hanggang sa huli,” he added.

The beneficiaries, composed of 418 women members of “Giya Ayuda sa Babaeng Sugbuanon” Federation (GABAY) under the Cebu City Women and Family Affairs Commission, received meals, food packs, masks, face shields and vitamins from the team of Go.

Following the similar relief operation for 300 women last March 24, the distribution activity was held at Plaza Sugbo, Cebu City Hall, and was conducted in batches to comply with necessary health protocols in order to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

In his video message, Go urged beneficiaries to continue to follow health preventive measures, such as frequent washing of hands, wearing of masks and face shields, observing social distancing and avoiding unnecessary travels by staying at home.

He, then, encouraged the beneficiaries to avail vaccines against COVID-19 to hasten the country’s return to normalcy. He also called the attention of the local government to deploy the doses immediately to ensure that no one is left behind towards recovery.

“Sa aking mga kababayan na kababaihan under GABAY Sugbuanon, ingat kayo palagi ha, andito lang kami ni Presidente Duterte na handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat mayroon lang kaming kaunting tulong na pinadala sa inyo,” expressed Go.

Some beneficiaries were also given new pairs of shoes, and bicycles while others received computer tablets that their children may use to easily access educational materials for their classes under the blended learning set-up.

Separate financial assistance were given to the beneficiaries by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed potential individuals for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

“Sa mga kaigsoonan nako na Bisaya, kami ni Presidente Duterte mga Bisaya pud. Naa lang mi dire na andam moserbisyo sa inyong tanan hangtud sa among makaya. Pinalangga kaayo namu kamong mga Bisaya,” said Go.

“Hindi po namin kayang mag-isa po ito. Kailangan nating bayanihan, kailangan po nating magmalasakit po sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.

Go also reached out to women who are suffering from medical conditions to seek assistance in the nearby Malasakit Centers located at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital both in Cebu City, Talisay City District Hospital in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu, and Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City.

First established in Cebu City in 2018, the Malasakit Center brings together DSWD, Department of Health, PhilHealth and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide particularly poor and indigent patients the convenient access to medical assistance to cover their hospital and medical-related expenses.

Lalaine Bali, a 55-year-old beneficiary, shared how she and her husband struggled to make a living since the pandemic started. As someone who has health concerns, Lalaine said it is hard for her to get her medicines and other daily essentials. She, then, expressed her gratitude towards Go, saying "Malaking tulong na itong natanggap namin ngayon. So, ako nagpapasalamat ako kay Senador Bong Go sa tulong niya sa amin sa GABAY Sugbuanon."

As the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended his support for several projects in Cebu City, such as the construction and rehabilitation of multi-purpose buildings in Brgy. Duljo Fatima and in Bahay Silangan.

He also helped in the funding of road improvements in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carcar City, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Naga City, Pinamungahan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; acquisition of ambulance unit in Madrilejos, Naga City; and improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan, among others.

The Senator, then, commended local government officials headed by Representative Rodrigo "Bebot" Abellanosa, Mayor Edgar Labella, Vice Mayor Mike Rama, and many others, for their untiring service and support to their constituents, especially those who are in crisis.

“Makikita mo po ang Pilipino po ‘pag nagtutulungan kakayanin po nating malampasan itong krisis na ating kinakaharap. Hindi po namin kaya ni Pangulong Duterte ito. Kailangang namin ang tulong ng bawat Pilipino,” Go ended. (OSBG)