PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's office delivered help to essential workers in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan on July 29 and 30 that include members of the Tricycle operators and drivers, market sellers, and jeepney drivers.

A total of 3,163 beneficiaries received meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields from the Senator's staff. Selected recipients received new shoes, while others were given bicycles to use for commuting. Some parents also received computer tablets which their children can use at home as part of the blended learning set-up.

A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was also on hand, providing financial support to each beneficiary in a separate distribution.

The activities were carried out in batches and in full adherence to the COVID-19 protocols to protect everyone's health and safety.

Go advised workers to stay vigilant against COVID-19 and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from the virus.

“Pero habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, huwag maging kumpiyansa. Inuulit ko, disiplina po ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno---face mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay. Kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon,” said Go.

In addition, the Senator provided aid to citizens in need of medical attention and recommended to them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Region 1 Medical Center to avail of medical assistance.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can get assistance from various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. There are now 132 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

Meanwhile, Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, continues to support infrastructure development nationwide. In particular, he helped push for sufficient funding for projects in Pozorrubio, including the repair of existing roads and the development of a multi-purpose building in the town.

He also supported various initiatives throughout Pangasinan, such as the concreting of farm-to-market and local roads in Aguilar, Mangaldan, Natividad, Alaminos City and Dagupan City; rehabilitation of existing roads in Balungao, 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 initiatives he supported include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Binmaley and Burgos; 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 for Urdaneta City.

The Senator also 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.

To conclude, Go thanked Representative Ramon Guico III, Governor Amado Espino III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Chinky Perez and Nicholi Jan Louie, Mayor Emma Zosima Chan, Vice Mayor Ernesto Snooky Salcedo III, and the rest of the local officials for providing for the needs of their most vulnerable constituents.

“Ang hiling ko lang sana, suportahan natin ang ating Tatay Digong sa kanyang laban. Iisa po ang nais nating gawin bilang kapwa Pangasinense, ‘yon ay ang para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go previously said to fellow Pangasinenses.

On December 18, 2018, Go became an adopted son of the province of Pangasinan through a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and ratified by Governor Espino III. The province honors Go's extraordinary capacity in public administration to motivate every local leader in the implementation of their excellent plans and projects, according to the resolution.

“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.

Go’s office, on July 27 and 28, also distributed similar aid to essential workers composed of TODA members, market vendors and jeepney drivers in Malasiqui, Pangasinan. (OSBG)