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.