PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recognized the sacrifices of essential workers in helping their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as he delivered a video message during a two-day relief operation in Valencia City, Bukidnon from August 12 to August 13.

Go urged communities not to drop their guard by following the mandated health protocols and reminded them that their continued vigilance and cooperation could still determine the course of the country’s pandemic response efforts.

“Sa mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo, kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte nahihirapan din po kami. Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para pa po makapagserbisyo upang malampasan pa po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” he said.

“Kailangan po ng tulong ninyo dahil hindi po kaya itong gawing mag-isa sa gobyerno. Kailangan po ang patuloy na bayanihan, kailangan po ang kooperasyon, kailangan po ang disiplina ng bawat isa,” Go appealed to the public.

“Pakiusap po namin ni Pangulong Duterte, kahit bakunado na ho kayo, huwag pa ring maging kumpiyansa dahil hindi pa rin natin masabi dahil yung hindi pa bakunado ay maaaring mahawa,” he added.

The Senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,234 beneficiaries, composed of motorela and payong-payong drivers at the Valencia City covered court.

Selected beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes while some were given bicycles for their commuting needs. Others were provided computer tablets for their children’s educational use under the blended learning approach.

In addition, representatives from various national agencies were also present as part of an ongoing effort by the government to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable sectors. The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment, in turn, conducted assessments for their respective programs. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment similarly evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective training and livelihood assistance programs.

“Gusto ko pong magpasalamat kay mahal na Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go sa kanilang ayuda na ibinigay. Maraming salamat po sa tulong. Maraming salamat din po sa natanggap kong mountain bike,” said Reno Marcelino, one of the beneficiaries.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go encouraged those with medical concerns to prioritize their health and advised them to visit the Malasakit Centers located at the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag where they may conveniently seek medical assistance.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from various government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was principally authored and sponsored by Go.

Concluding his message, the Senator thanked public officials for their leadership during the pandemic. Among those present during the activities were Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr., Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, and Vice Mayor Policarpo Murillo.

To foster infrastructure development and boost economic growth, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the concreting of roads in Barangay Maapag to Barangay Catumbalon; and the provision of assistance programs for education, health and social protection in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to the residents of Valencia City.

He also supported projects in the province of Bukidnon such as the funding for the construction of an evacuation center, municipal building and local access road as well as an electrification and solar lights project in Damulog town.

He also supported the construction of a slaughterhouse, multi-purpose building and the Northern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone Road Network and Southern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone road network development projects in Don Carlos.

Moreover, he also helped the province in the improvement of road links in Baungon, Libona and Talakag; access road leading to the Bukidnon Airport; farm-to-market and local roads in Cabanglasan, Kadingilan, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, San Fernando, Talakag and Valencia City; and other road linkages throughout the province.

On Tuesday, July 27, Go’s team extended aid to 498 market vendors and farmers in Malitbog. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)