PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher "Bong "Go on July 27 and 28 distributed aid to essential workers composed of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members, market vendors and jeepney drivers in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

The Senator’s staff provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 4,123 beneficiaries. Selected beneficiaries were given new shoes while others were provided bicycles for their commuting needs. Some also received computer tablets which their children can use while studying at home under the blended learning set-up.

Furthermore, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was likewise present and provided each beneficiary with financial assistance in a separate distribution.

One of the beneficiaries, Shiela Salinas, thanked Duterte, Go, and the government agencies present during the activity for the aid she received. "Maraming salamat po kay President Duterte, Senator Go para po sa natanggap naming tulong," she said.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, the activities were carried out in batches and in strict observance of the protocols against COVID-19.

In a message to the workers, Go assured them that he will continue to push and support projects and programs that will boost the economy of provinces and rural areas.

“Kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para magtrabaho pa po at magserbisyo po para sa inyong lahat upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap sa ngayon,” Go told them.

“Magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.

Among the various infrastructure projects in Pangasinan supported by Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, include 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; purchase of medical equipment for the Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City and Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug; and acquisition of ambulances and dump trumps for Mangaldan and a multi-purpose vehicle in Urdaneta City.

The Senator earlier supported the funding for the construction of a dialysis center in Lingayen, purchase of medical equipment for the Lingayen District Hospital, and acquisition of an ambulance for the municipal government.

Continuing his message, the Senator also offered assistance to residents needing medical care and further advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Region 1 Medical Center.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the relevant government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. There are now 130 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

Meanwhile, as the government continues to fast-track the rollout of vaccines, especially to priority groups in the A4 category, Go urged the residents to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves while helping the local economy recover.

“Tingnan niyo po sa ibang bansa. Nakakapaglaro na sila ng basketball. Nakakapanood na sila ng basketball dahil po karamihan sa kanila ay bakunado na po. Kaya may pag-asa rin po tayo rito. Ngunit, kailangan po tiwala niyo sa ating gobyerno at magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna,” said Go.

“Magpabakuna na ho kayo, ‘pag nasa priority list na po kayo. Ngunit huwag munang maging kumpiyansa dahil may Delta variant po na dumarating. May mga bagong variants dahil ito pong COVID-19 ay bagong sakit at hindi po natin nakikita itong kalabang ito,” he added.

To end, Go thanked various officials for providing for the needs of their most vulnerable constituents, namely 3rd District Representative Baby Arenas, Governor Amado Espino, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani, Vice Mayor Armando Domantay Sr., and the rest of the local officials.

“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.

“Mag-ingat po tayo, magdasal po tayo parati. At tandaan po ninyo, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito,” Go said.

“Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon, dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he concluded. (OSBG)