PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for stricter vigilance and adherence to the prescribed health protocols as he warned Filipinos not to be complacent amid the ongoing threats of COVID-19.

During a video message at a relief effort for the vulnerable residents of Kapatagan and Salvador, Lanao del Norte held from July 29 to 30, Go warned the public that the COVID-19 Delta variant is more contagious.

“Mga kababayan, pwede na po magpabakuna ang mga frontliners, senior citizens, adults with comorbidities, economic frontliners, at ‘yung ibang indigents depende sa dating ng supply sa lugar ninyo. Magpabakuna na kayo at libre naman ‘to. Ang bakuna ang susi para makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Pero habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, ‘wag maging kumpiyansa. Inuulit ko, disiplina ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno at magsuot ng mask at face shield, mag-social distancing at maghugas ng kamay. Kung hindi kailangan ay ‘wag umalis ng pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Senator's staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,849 vulnerable residents at the Kapatagan municipal gym and Barangay Salvacion covered court in Salvador. The residents were composed of recovering drug users, transport workers, vendors, agricultural workers and fire victims.

Selected recipients were given new pairs of shoes while others were equipped with bicycles to ease their daily commute. Some also received computer tablets so their children can study better under the blended learning approach implemented by schools.

“Maraming salamat kay Senator Bong Go para sa aking bagong bisikleta! Salamat kay Pangulong Duterte para sa tulong niya sa aming lugar,” said Filomino Solatorio, a resident of Kapatagan.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa bike at ayuda na aking natanggap mula kay Senator Bong at Presidente Duterte!” added Hermogenes Billiones.

In a separate distribution, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance and food packs as part of a set of intervention measures by the government for individuals and communities in crisis. The Department of Health handed out hygiene kits while the Department of Agriculture gave away vegetable seedlings.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, conducted assessments for their scholarship program. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry committed to extend further aid based on their existing assistance programs.

To ensure their health concerns are attended to, the Senator offered further assistance to any beneficiary in need of medical care. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital or the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City where they may conveniently apply for government aid to cover their hospital and other medical related expenses.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which streamlines the provision of medical assistance by bringing together the relevant agencies under one roof, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Its primary aim is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses, such as surgeries, laboratories and medicines.

Ending his remarks, Go recognized the local officials for their support and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those present during the activities were Governor Imelda Dimaporo; Kapatagan Mayor Barry Baguio; Vice Mayor Benjie Baguio; and Councilors Perlito Gonzaga, Jegger Te, Patrick Te, Byron Atay, Romelie Roullo, Russel Oredimo, Walter Lantaca, and Pablo Coronel Jr.; and Association of Barangay Captains President Joseph Bucog.

He also thanked Salvador Mayor Farhanie Tawantawan; Vice Mayor Mateo Cortes; and former mayors Hassanor Tawantawan, Sultan Johnny Tawantawan, and Raida Tawantawan, among others.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has supported the funding of various projects in Lanao del Norte, such as the construction of a multi-purpose building and public park in Salvador; concreting of a river wall in Kapatagan; purchase of solar powered street lights and an ambulance for the Kapatagan local government; and construction of a hemodialysis clinic building for the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital.

Other infrastructure initiatives Go supported include the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bacolod and Lala; construction of flood control and drainage structures in Lala; rehabilitation of roads in Iligan City, Magsaysay, and Munai; purchase of medical equipment for the Gregorio T. Lluch Hospital in Iligan City; rehabilitation of public markets in Magsaysay and Iligan City; and construction of multi-purpose buildings in Iligan City, Kauswagan, Magsaysay, Nunungan, Pantao Pantar, Ragat, Tangcal and Tubod.

The Senator’s staff also delivered aid to 1,289 economic frontliners in Lala and Tubod on the same day. They previously assisted 99 fire victims in Barangays Ubaldo Laya and Tomas Cabili in Iligan City on July 27. All activities were conducted in batches to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.  (OSBG)