PASAY CITY -- On Monday, August 9, an outreach team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go held a relief effort and distributed aid to displaced workers and out-of-school youth in Alang-Alang and Tolosa, Leyte, in support of the government's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its economic impacts.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo, mga kababayan ko. Ginagawa naman po ng gobyerno ang lahat, binabalanse ang ekonomiya, at importante po ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang po kapwa nating mga Pilipino,” Go said in a video message.

His outreach team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,024 beneficiaries at their respective Civic Centers. They also offered some of the recipients new bicycles for commuting, and shoes so that they could work comfortably. Others received computer tablets to supplement their children's blended learning needs.

Personnel from other agencies were also present as part of the national government's efforts to assist in mitigating the pandemic's negative effects.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each beneficiary with financial assistance in a separate distribution. The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also held assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Salamat po sa ayuda na binigay ninyo. Malaki po ang tulong na ito para sa amin, pang-hanapbuhay po namin, lalu na po’t single po ako,” said Gerile Pioquinto, one of the beneficiaries.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Senator Bong Go at President Duterte dahil nagkaroon kami ngayon ng pangkabuhayan. Magagamit namin itong pera na ibibigay sa amin ng DOLE para sa pangkabuhayan namin,” Mark Cerro, another beneficiary, said.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reassured the essential workers that they are among the sectors being prioritized to receive immunizations against COVID-19. As the government continues to expand the national immunization program as more vaccine doses arrive in the country, he reiterated his call for Filipinos to get vaccinated.

“Hirap na nga tayo sa pagkuha ng bakuna para sa may edad sa kabila ng limitadong supply, baka kailangang maghanap na naman tayo ng mga bakuna para sa mga menor de edad. Nakakabahala po ang mga naiuulat na tumataas na kaso na mga minors po sa mga nahahawa ng COVID-19, dapat po'y maagapan kaagad ito,” said Go.

“Sa patuloy na pananalasa ng mas nakakahawang Delta variant, ako ay umaapela sa kapwa ko Pilipino, sundin po natin ang mga health protocols---parati pong magsuot ng mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay. Kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng inyong pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon,” he reminded.

Since the country's nationwide vaccination program began in March, a total of 24.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, as of August 9. Some 13.3 million of these were given as first doses, while 11.6 million were given as second doses.

Meanwhile, 510,292 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered on August 9 alone.

He urged the government to ensure that sufficient supplies are provided in critical areas especially amid rising positivity rates not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Go offered to help any resident in need of medical attention. He advised them to go to the Malasakit Centers at Tacloban City's Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), Ormoc District Hospital, Leyte Provincial Hospital, and Palo's Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital (SCRH).

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It aims to reduce to the lowest possible amount the balance of the hospital bills of those who seek its assistance.

Go supported and successfully fought for the passing of two bills to strengthen health services in Leyte: one to increase the EVRMC's bed capacity, and another to convert the SCRH into the Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital.

The Senator, in his message, went on to thank the local officials for their assistance and handling of the coronavirus pandemic. They include Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, Governor Mic Petilla, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Alang-alang Mayor Lovely Ann Yu and Vice Mayor Edwin Jomadiao, and Tolosa Mayor Ma. Ofelia Alcantara and Vice Mayor Rodolfo Legaspi.

To boost economic growth in the region, Go has supported the funding for numerous infrastructure projects in Leyte, such as the rehabilitation of provincial roads and the installation of LED solar road studs along the Daang Maharlika Road, among others.

“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam ko pong nahihirapan na kayo. Kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po,” said Go.

“Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang makapagserbisyo pa po, araw-araw po 24/7, upang malampasan natin at sana po’y makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay tulad po noon,” he ended.

Go’s team also conducted similar aid activities for hundreds of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members and market vendors in Matag-ob, Leyte on June 14. (OSBG)