PASAY CITY -- In a video message for the residents of Bayambang, Pangasinan on Thursday, July 22, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged all members of the community to exercise extra precautionary measures following the recent confirmation of local transmission of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the country.

Go reminded everyone to be more careful to avoid the risk of contracting and infecting their more vulnerable loved ones with the more virulent strain. He urged everyone to avoid uneccessary travels and continue adhering to imposed health protocols and community quarantine guidelines.

“Kailangan namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng bawat Pilipino. Patuloy tayong sumunod sa mga patakaran at magsuot ng mask at face shield, mag-social distancing, at maghugas ng kamay. Kung hindi kailangan o may nararamdaman kayong sintomas, ‘wag kayong umalis ng inyong pamamahay,” appealed Go.

“Huwag tayo maging kumpiyansa hangga’t hindi pa natin nakakamtan ang herd immunity. Ayaw natin magaya sa mga ibang bansa na nagsasara dahil dumadami ulit ang bilang ng mga kaso nila,” he added.

The Senator’s staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 6,532 residents at the Bayambang municipal gymnasium from July 22 to 23. The residents consisted of indigent senior citizens, persons with disabilities, street vendors and members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association.

Select beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles, a popular alternative commuting method during the pandemic. Some were provided computer tablets to help ensure their children have adequate means of participating in their blended learning activities.

In an effort to cushion the negative impacts of the pandemic, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also gave away financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program in a separate distribution.

“Nakapakahirap nung nagkapandemya. Diskarte lang kung papaano ka makaka-survive. Iyung tricycle namin, hindi na kumita simula nung nag-lockdown dahil walang ng mga pasahero. Naglako ako ng mga gulay o kahit anong bagay para makakita,” began Thelma Ramos, 55, a resident of Barangay Bani.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go sa mga tulong at ayuda na ibinigay sa amin. Malaking bagay na ito sa amin at makakatulong ito sa mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan namin,” she continued.

To further ensure their health and well-being at this time, Go offered further assistance to any beneficiary in need of medical care and advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which streamlines the provision of medical assistance by bringing together the relevant government agencies under one roof, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to help reduce a patient's hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses (e.g. surgeries, laboratories and medicines) through existing medical assistance programs.

Ending his remarks, the Senator went on to thank various officials for their untiring service and efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. Among those present during the activities were Deputy Speaker and 3rd District Representative Baby Arenas, 5th District Rep. Ramon Guico III, Governor Amado Espino III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Board Members Angel Baniqued Jr. And Vici Ventanilla, Mayor Cesar Quiambao, Vice Mayor Raul Sabangan, and the municipal council.

In demonstration of his continuing commitment as an adopted son of Pangasinan, Go’s staff previously organized a similar activity for 5,247 economic frontliners at the Lingayen municipal gym from July 20 to 21. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he also supported the funding of various infrastructure projects, such as the concreting of farm-to-market and local roads in Aguilar, Mangaldan, Natividad, Alaminos City and Dagupan City; rehabilitation of existing roads in Balungao, Pozorrubio, San Jacinto and Umingan; construction of drainage or concrete line canals in Anda, Asingan and Alaminos City; construction of slope protection structures along the Cabatuan River in Bugallon and Marusay River in Calasiao; and rehabilitation and construction of a flood control structure in the Dagupan river.

Other additional projects include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Binmaley, Burgos and Pozorrubio; construction of market stalls in San Quintin; upgrading of public markets in Dagupan City; construction of a maternal lying clinic in Dagupan City; construction of a dialysis center in Lingayen; purchase of medical equipment for the Lingayen District Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City and Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug; and acquisition of ambulances or dump trumps for Lingayen and Mangaldan and a multi-purpose vehicle in Urdaneta City.

“Ang hiling ko lang sana suportahan natin ang ating Tatay Digong sa kanyang laban. Iisa po ang nais nating gawin bilang kapwa Pangasinenses, yon ay ang para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go previously said to fellow Pangasinenses.

Go became an adopted son of the province of Pangasinan through a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and approved by Governor Amado Espino III on December 18, 2018. The resolution said the province recognizes the exceptional capability of Go in public administration to inspire every local leader in the implementation of their worthy programs and projects. (OSBG)