PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized that the government continues to accelerate the vaccine rollout to protect a wider population from COVID-19. He expressed his optimism that the country will achieve population protection and herd immunity soon as more doses are expected to arrive in the country.

In his video message during the relief efforts conducted by his team for essential workers in Kawayan and Naval, Biliran, he urged local government units to also ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine doses are properly administered to eligible residents immediately.

“Pagdating po ng bakuna sa inyong lugar, i-deploy na po agad sa mga vaccination sites at iturok sa mga dapat makatanggap nito lalo na yung mga mahihirap at vulnerable. Sa mga kababayan natin, magpalista na po kayo agad at magpabakuna kapag panahon niyo na. Huwag na po kayong mag-alinlangan pa dahil ang bakuna ang susi at solusyon para malampasan ang krisis na ito,” he said.

“Mas maiigi na pong matapos natin itong pandemyang ito at tuluy-tuloy na po sana ang pagbabalik natin sa ating normal na pamumuhay," added Go.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go urged Filipinos to remain vigilant and compliant with health preventive measures against COVID-19 especially amid the emergence of new and more contagious variants.

Meanwhile, Go provided additional support and gave recognition to the thousands of market vendors and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members in Biliran province for their service to their communities amid the crisis.

On Wednesday, July 21, separate distribution activities were held at the Municipal Gyms of Kawayan and Naval for 400 and 700 beneficiaries, respectively. Go’s team, then, continued their outreach program for 590 more recipients on July 22 in Naval.

Go’s staff enforced necessary safety and health protocols as they divided the beneficiaries into smaller groups while they received essentials, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

New pairs of shoes and bicycles were also given to some recipients while others received computer tablets that are intended to help their children pursue their education under the blended learning set-up.

“Para po sa mga kabataan, bagama't distance learning tayo, importante po matapos kayo ng pag-aaral. Iyan po’y magpapasaya sa inyong mga magulang,” said Go.

Several government agencies also extended additional support to further uplift the welfare of these essential workers. Financial assistance was given to each beneficiary by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Department of Trade and Industry also evaluated beneficiaries for their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program. More so, scholarship grants from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority were offered to qualified individuals.

Tricycle driver, Antonio Docallos conveyed his appreciation towards Go for ensuring that vulnerable sectors continue to receive support despite economic challenges, saying, “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Presidente Duterte at kay (Senador) Bong Go dahil sa tulong na binibigay dito sa amin, gagamitin ko ito sa pagbili ng bigas, pang ulam, kung anong kailangan bilhin sa bahay, pambayad ng kuryente.”

The Senator also provided health-related assistance to those with medical concerns as he encouraged them to visit the nearest Malasakit Center at Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval if they may need any medical assistance to cover their hospital expenses.

Signed into law in 2019, the center is a one-stop shop that is designed to help particularly poor and indigent patients conveniently access medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Ang target po nito ay zero balance po para wala na ho kayong babayaran. Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center para po ‘yan sa inyo,” expressed Go.

To further boost economic development in Biliran, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several projects in Kawayan, such as the construction of a seawall in Brgy. San Lorenzo, and the rehabilitation of access roads in Brgy. Balascon.

There are also several projects in Naval that Go supported, such as the construction of multi-purpose buildings, flood control, and flood protection structures; acquisition of new medical equipment for Biliran Provincial Hospital; construction of Capitol Grounds and Family Park; construction of a seawall in Brgy. Mabini; and road opening and concreting of Sitio Owakon in Brgy. Villa Consuelo.

Go also helped in the rehabilitation of roads in Almeria; acquisition of dump trucks for other towns; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Caibiran and Maripipi; among others.

Representative Gerardo Espina, Governor Rogelio Espina, Vice Governor Brigido Caneja, Kawayan Mayor Rodolfo Espina and Vice Mayor Tani Patiño, Naval Mayor Gerard Roger Espina and Vice Mayor Vicente Curso, and other local government officials were recognized by Senator Go for their untiring service to the province.

“Salamat po sa mga frontliners, salamat po sa mga pulis, sa mga militar, at sa lahat po ng mga tumulong lalung-lalo na po sa panahon ngayon. Magbayanihan po tayo para sa ikabubuti ng ating komunidad,” he ended. (OSBG)