PASAY CITY -- On Monday, August 9, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent assistance to residents of Laoang, Northern Samar. In a video message, he urged them to remain vigilant and cooperative, assuring them that the government is speeding up the vaccine deployment to safeguard the population from COVID-19.

“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,” urged the Senator.

Vendors, hog raisers, and sari-sari store owners made up the 300 recipients.

He also advised local governments to administer the COVID-19 vaccines in an organized and safe manner as soon as they arrive in their areas of jurisdiction. In addition, he requested that local leaders prioritize assisting vulnerable groups in receiving immunizations so that they can be protected.

“Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. 'Yon po ang target natin ngayong taong ito, population protection at herd immunity,” explained Go.

“Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga pamilya at ang inyong mga anak, magpabakuna na ho kayo. If you are not protected against COVID-19, the virus will find you and it will infect you. Delikado po itong COVID-19, lalung-lalo na po itong Delta variant na four times more contagious, mas nakakahawa po ito,” he added.

Go’s team organized the relief effort at the LIETCO Gymnasium and implemented the government’s recommended safety and health protocols to safeguard the recipients.

Beneficiaries received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins after being divided into smaller groups. Some people were also given new shoes and bicycles.

In addition, the Senator gave computer tablets to some of the recipients so that their children could readily access the educational materials they need for their classes as part of the blended learning approach used in schools.

“Sa mga kabataan, mag-aral ho kayo nang mabuti. Bagama't distance learning po tayo ngayon dahil hindi po kami papayag ni Pangulong Duterte ng face-to-face habang nandidiyan pa po ang COVID-19, habang nandidiyan pa po ang banta ng COVID-19 dahil mas delikado pong nagkakahawahan sa eskwelahan. Siguraduhin muna nating ligtas ang ating mga kabataan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave each beneficiary livelihood assistance grants. The Department of Trade and Industry also conducted an on-site assessment to determine those eligible for their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program.

Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed individuals who are qualified for their scholarship grants or special trainings.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized the significance of taking good care of one's health especially during the pandemic, encouraging the residents of Laoang to seek medical help at the Malasakit Center in Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman.

The Malasakit Center aims to provide Filipinos, particularly indigents, with easy access to medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. This aims to help cover and lower medical bills as much as possible.

Local government officials were then lauded by the Senator for their continuous efforts to ensure that their community heals from the burdens caused by the global pandemic. Among the officials were 2nd District of Norther Samar Representative Jose Ong, Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Vice Governor Gary Lavin, Mayor Harris Ongchuan, and Vice Mayor Miguel Sarmiento.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senator supported various infrastructure initiatives in the province to boost its economic development. Among these are the construction of a multi-purpose building in Bobon; installation of street lights in Rosario; the construction of road linkages in Catubig, Gamay, San Roque, and Las Navas; public market circumferential road in San Jose; drainage canal in Quirino; and footbridge in Biri; improvement of the farm-to-market or local roads in Lapinig, Lavezares, Lopez de Vega, Pambujan and Victoria; as well as the construction of a seawall from Barangay Lagundi to Brgy. Kinaguitman in Allen town.

“Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Iyan po ang tanging susi o solusyon ngayon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay, at makamtan po natin ‘yung population protection at herd immunity para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko,” reminded the Senator.

On July 29, Go’s team extended similar assistance to residents of Bobon, Samar at the Bobon Municipal Covered Court. (OSBG)