PASAY CITY -- As restrictions due to the global pandemic are disrupting small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended his support to hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, and fisherfolk in the province of Camiguin on Wednesday, July 28.

Through his video message, Go gave recognition to 228 beneficiaries in Guinsiliban and 155 in Mahinog for their contribution to the local economy despite the crisis situations.

He also reassured that, together with the government, he will continue to support initiatives that will help small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Go encouraged the economic frontliners to avail themselves of the vaccines against COVID-19 as they are part of the A4 category under the recommended priority groups. He, then, reminded them to stay compliant with the health preventive measures even after they have been fully vaccinated.

“Libre naman po itong bakuna, para po protektado kayo at protektado rin po ang inyong mga pamilya. Pakiusap ko lang po, bagama’t nagbabakuna na tayo, ang importante po’y kooperasyon at disiplina po ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go.

“Pinapaalala ko rin sa gobyerno na suyurin niyo bawat sulok ng bansa para mabigyan ng bakuna ang mga dapat makatanggap nito. Siguraduhin nating walang maiiiwan,” he urged.

Go’s outreach team conducted the distribution events at Guinsiliban Central School in Guinsiliban and Brgy. San Roque Covered Court in Mahinog where they split the beneficiaries into smaller batches as they strictly implemented safety and health protocols to avoid further spread of the virus.

Essentials, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins, were then given to each recipient. Some economic frontliners also received new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use.

As part of the Senator’s goal to provide indigent students better access to quality education, Go gave out computer tablets to select beneficiaries to support their children and help them excel during classes under the blended learning set-up.

Meanwhile, some representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were also in attendance and provided each essential worker with livelihood assistance grants.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment, then, conducted an on-site evaluation where they determined who among the beneficiaries can take part in their respective livelihood programs.

“Kaunting tiis lang po. Ang importante makamtan muna natin ‘yung population protection at herd immunity po para naman po sumaya na po ang ating Pasko at makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay tulad noon,” expressed Go.

“Pero hindi natin makakamtan ‘yan kung wala pong kooperasyon ng bawat isa. Kailangan pong magtulungan po tayo, kailangan po magbayanihan tayo, kailangan po magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go advised the public to look after their well-being especially during the pandemic. He, then, mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers in Cagayan de Oro City that they can visit if they may need medical attention.

Located at the Northern Medical Center and JR Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, these Malasakit Centers offer convenient access to medical programs by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, that are purposed to help low-income patients with their medical expenses.

Institutionalized by a law in 2019 which was authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate, there are currently 132 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ayuda mula kay Senator Bong Go at President Rodrigo Duterte. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga programang inihandog samin, malaking tulong po ito, lalo na po ngayong pandemya,” said Diosdado Tongco, one of the beneficiaries, in an interview.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended additional support in some infrastructure projects in Guinsiliban, such as the construction of a two-storey multi-purpose building in Brgy. South Poblacion, and construction of river control in Brgy. North Poblacion.

He also helped in the acquisition of an ambulance unit and a mini-dump truck, and the construction of the municipal drainage canal in Mahinog. Likewise, he also supported the improvement of a multi-purpose building and the improvement of the Poblacion-Madling-Quidag-UM Access Road in Catarman.

The Senator conveyed his gratitude to Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Vice Governor Rodan Romualdo, Guinsiliban Mayor Helenio Abecia and Vice Mayor Eric Elvis Roxas, Mahinog Mayor Rogerio Acle and Vice Mayor Rey Lawrence Tan, and other local government leaders for working hand-in-hand to ensure that their community fully recovers from these challenging times.

“Mag-iingat kayo palagi at magdasal tayo lagi at hindi tayo pababayaan ng Diyos basta magtulungan lang tayo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang din na magkababayan,” he ended. (OSBG)