PASAY CITY -- Following the distribution activities in Tudela and Ozamiz City last July 21 and 22, respectively, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team on Thursday, July 29, to provide similar forms of assistance to 256 small vendors from various municipalities in Misamis Occidental.

Go expressed his gratitude towards the beneficiaries from the towns of Clarin, Plaridel, Jimenez, and Panaon for their contribution to their communities as he reassured, through his video message, that the government will continue to provide much needed support for their livelihoods amid the global pandemic.

He, then, appealed to the local officials to cooperate closely with the national government as vaccines are continuously delivered around the country. He then asked LGUs to help expedite the vaccine rollout in order to hasten reaching population protection against COVID-19 and eventually herd immunity in communities.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang ho tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang rin kapwa nating mga Pilipino, said Go.

“Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Kapag oras niyo na magpabakuna, huwag na mag-alinlangan pa. Ang bakuna po ang proteksyon ninyo laban sa sakit na COVID-19,” he added.

Held at Poblacion 2, Clarin Covered Court, Go’s staff made certain that strict safety and health protocols were observed during relief operation as they grouped the economic frontliners into small batches while they received essentials, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

The Senator also provided some recipients with new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use. There were also selected beneficiaries of computer tablets to help their children participate better during classes under the blended learning set-up implemented in schools.

"Bagama't distance learning pa po ngayon dahil hindi po kami papayag ni Pangulong Duterte na isugal po ang buhay ng bata dahil delikado po ang face-to-face learning, importante sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat kabataan, ng bawat Pilipino,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance grants to qualified recipients through their Sustainable Livelihood Program. The Department of Agriculture, in turn, gave supplies of plant seeds.

Staff from the Department of Trade and Industry offered livelihood programs to qualified individuals; and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, likewise, offered scholarship grants to determined beneficiaries.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Senator offered assistance to those with health concerns as he mentioned that there is a nearby Malasakit Center at Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City where they can conveniently seek medical assistance.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center aims to ensure that Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, will get the medical attention they need by putting all concerned agencies that offer medical programs, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are now 132 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Several local government officials were then commended by Senator Go for leading their communities in the fight against the pandemic. Among the officials were Clarin Mayor Glory Fe Roa, Jimenez Mayor Rosario Balais, Plaridel Mayor Alicia Ty, Panaon Mayor Francisco Paylaga Jr., and many others.

Go, being the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, helped push for more infrastructure development in the province. Among those he supported are the construction of the Eco-Tourism Highway, and the installation of solar streetlights along provincial roads.

Go also supported the rehabilitation of roads in Aloran, Bonifacio, Calamba, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela, and Sinacban; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Concepcion, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Plaridel, Tangub City, Tudela, and Oroquieta City; and installation of streetlights in Ozamiz City and Tangub City.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga frontliners. Salamat po sa mga pulis at militar. Salamat rin po sa mga bumbero. Salamat po sa inyong tulong at sakripisyo po sa ating mga kababayan,” he ended. (OSBG)