PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, appealed for more support for vulnerable populations, particularly victims of disasters, as his team arranged a series of events for at-risk families in Bohol on Tuesday, August 10.

At the towns’ respective municipal gyms, his team gave meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 1,244 individuals from several sectors. Some of the recipients received new shoes, while others received bicycles. Others received tablet computers to assist their children in accessing educational resources.

“Salamat po kay Senator Bong Go sa aking natanggap na bisikleta,” said James Rortiso, one of the beneficiaries.

Dionesia Piacbet, a beneficiary from Loboc, also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Go, and the rest of the government for the assistance she received, saying “Sa ngayon, caretaker ako ng isang bahay ng foreigner. Talagang ang hirap (dahil sa pandemya) dahil pati trabaho, wala.”

“Solid talaga kaming Duterte at kay Bong Go,” she added.

Financial support was separately distributed by personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Potential beneficiaries for the Department of Trade and Industry's and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's respective support programs were also assessed.

The Senator, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, advised persons who are eligible for immunization to register and get their shots so they can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

“Mga kababayan, nag-umpisa na po ang pagbabakuna ng mga senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners at mga indigent. Magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo at maiiwasan niyo ang mga grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19. Huwag magkumpiyansa at may mas delikadong variant na tinatawag na Delta variant,” said Go.

“Halos araw-araw, tumataas ang kaso sa buong Pilipinas dahil mabilis na kumalat ang variant na ito. Kaya pakiusap namin ni Presidente Duterte, kailangan namin ang kooperasyon ninyo. Ginagawa ang lahat ng ito ng gobyerno para sa kapakanan ninyo,” he continued.

Individuals with health problems were offered medical assistance by the Senator. He urged them to seek assistance if needed at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City or the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay, which both have fully operational Malasakit Centers.

Go authored and sponsored the bill that became Republic Act No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, after securing a seat in the Senate in 2019.

The measure, which was signed into law by the President in December 2019, brings together all of the government agencies that provide medical aid to poor and impoverished patients under one roof. The DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are among the entities involved.

Ending his remarks, Go recognized and thanked various local officials for their leadership and commitment to help constituents overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those were 2nd District Representative Aris Aumentado; 3rd District Representative Kristine Tutor; Governor Arthur Yap; Vice Governor Rene Relampagos; Danao Mayor Joe Cepedoza and Vice Mayor Al Vitor; Mayor Leon Calipusan and Vice Mayor Bebot Sumampong; and many more.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go continues to support infrastructure development around the country to improve public service delivery and provide more economic opportunities. For Bohol, he pushed for the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Dauis, Loay, Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Buenavista, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Loon, Valencia and Tagbiliran City; construction or improvement of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; and improvement of existing roads in Baclayon and Loay.

He also supported the construction of slaughterhouses in Loay and Inabanga; improvement of the public markets in Bilar, Clarin, Cogon, Lila and Sagbayan; and construction of a fish port in Jagna, among others.

On August 9, Go also distributed assistance to 943 beneficiaries at the Panglao Cultural Center, Dauis municipal gym and Barangay Baluarte covered court in Baclayon. They also provided the same aid to 248 storm surge victims at the Loay municipal gym.

Each activity was conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)