PASAY CITY -- As he continues to encourage the public to take part in the national vaccination program, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to helping build back communities that were greatly affected by the global pandemic.
In his video message, Go appealed to the 1,691 beneficiaries in Baroy, Lanao del Norte to get vaccinated as this would serve as an added protection against COVID-19. Go said that they should not fear the vaccines, and fear the virus instead especially amid the emergence of a more contagious Delta variant.
He further expressed his optimism as he said that ‘there is light at the end of the tunnel’ in ending the global pandemic as long as Filipinos stay vigilant and comply with health preventive measures.
Go’s team carried out a two-day relief operation from July 26 to 27 for more than a thousand transport workers, vendors, farmers, and fisherfolk in Baroy.
“Sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga transport workers, vendors, farmers and fisherfolk, diyan sa Baroy sa Lanao del Norte, kumusta na kayo? Magtulungan lang tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di kapwa nating Pilipino,” said Go.
“Kung nasa priority list na kayo, pakiusap lang magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay gaya noon. Pakiusap lang namin, disiplina at kooperasyon lang,” he added.
Held at Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School, Go’s staff grouped the essential workers into smaller batches a day to ensure efficient distribution and implemented necessary safety and health protocols as they handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.
In addition, some recipients received new pairs of shoes and bicycles while others were given computer tablets that would benefit their children who are studying under the blended learning set-up.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, provided each qualified beneficiary with financial assistance in a separate distribution.
The Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated beneficiaries for their respective livelihood programs.
Additionally, the Department of Health gave hygiene kits while the Department of Agriculture handed out plant seeds. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority determined individuals for their scholarship program.
To further assist residents with health concerns, Go encouraged them to visit Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, or Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan, where there are Malasakit Centers available. To date, there are already 130 established nationwide.
As Go continues to push for measures that would improve healthcare services in the country, he primarily authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 that mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the DOH, plus Philippine General Hospital, to establish their own Malasakit Centers to assist low-income Filipinos to reduce their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible.
“Dalawa na ang Malasakit Center diyan sa inyong lugar, lapitan niyo lang, handa ‘yang tumulong sa inyo; zero balance ang target ng Malasakit Center,” Go said.
