PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to Bantayan Island, Cebu to conduct a two-day relief effort for the boatmen and small-scale fishermen from July 21 to 22. He assured residents of the island that the government continues to prioritize administering the COVID-19 vaccines to essential workers and other high-risk groups even in far-flung communities.

In a video message, Go said that the government is working hard to expedite the vaccine rollout. He encouraged essential workers to get vaccinated and take care of their health by abiding by the mandated protocols and guidelines.

“Mga kababayan, sana nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam kong mahirap ang buhay dahil nandito pa tayo sa krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magmalasakit at magbayanihan para malampasan natin itong kinakaharap natin na krisis,” Go said.

“Nananawagan ako, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna. Huwag kayong matakot dito. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala lang tayo sa gobyerno at kailangan samahan n’yo ng kooperasyon at disiplina ito,” he stressed.

The Senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 2,029 beneficiaries at Sante Fe municipal gym. The activities were carried out in small batches and in strict adherence to the other health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

The team gave select beneficiaries new pairs of shoes, while some were provided computer tablets for their children’s school needs. Other workers were equipped with bicycles.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance as part of an ongoing effort by the national government to alleviate the economic impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable sectors.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, committed to extend further aid upon completing its assessments of potential beneficiaries.

“Noon, kumikita ako ng mahigit tatlong daan pero ngayon isang daan na lang. Minsan hirap ako sa pambili ng bigas dahil wala talagang income. Kawawa ang aking anak, walang maayos na makain kaya minsan naghahanap kami ng paraan kahit sikwenta pesos lang para maibili siya ng pagkain,” said Ariel Rosario, 25, a resident of Barangay Okoy.

“Masaya ako dahil may makakain ng maayos ang aking anak ngayon. Salamat, Senator, at tinulungan mo kami dito sa Okoy, Sta. Fe. Dahil sayo, makakakain ang mga pamilya namin ng masarap-sarap. Kung maari ay sana mabigyan tayo ng maliit na puhunan para makapagnegosyo rin ako ng isda,” he continued.

In his message, Go further offered assistance to any resident needing medical care. He informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers 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, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, or Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

First launched in Cebu City in 2018, the centers serve as one-stop shops for the medical assistance programs offered by the national government, specifically the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The assistance covers laboratories, medicines, surgeries and other patient services and expenses.

The Senator went on to express his gratitude to various officials for their efforts to ensure the well-being of their affected constituents, namely 4th District Representative Janice Salimbangon, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Governor Hilario Davide, Mayor Ithamar Espinosa, and Vice Mayor Naomi Espinosa.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he supported numerous projects in Cebu, such as 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, Cebu City and Talisay City; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; acquisition of ambulance units in Madrilejos and Naga City; and improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan, and many more.

He emphasized that his efforts to support and protect the welfare of Cebuanos will always be a priority as he works with their local leaders in improving the lives of fellow Bisaya communities.

"Mga kaigsuonan, mga Bisaya, daghang salamat sa inyong tabang sa amoa ni Presidente Duterte. Kami pud, mga Bisaya man pud mi, utang kabubut-on, dili kalimtan. Ug timan-i ninyo, mga Bisaya, pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," he finally said.

(Translation: "Sa mga kapatid ko, mga Bisaya, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong sa amin ni Presidente Duterte. Kami rin, mga Bisaya rin kami, utang na loob, hindi nalilimutan. At tandaan ninyo, mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte.") (OSBG)