PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, August 17, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent aid and support to conflict-affected local communities in Pinabacdao, Samar as his team distributed assistance to hundreds of individuals under the Duterte administration’s Retooled Community Support Program.

This is in line with the Duterte Administration's commitment to address insurgencies and other local conflicts, support reintegration efforts and spur development in affected communities.

“Ayokong nagpapatayan ang mga Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino. Kung may namamatay na sundalo, nauulila ang pamilya. ‘Pag may namatay sa kabilang panig, nauulila rin ang kanilang pamilya,” said Go earlier.

“Sino ang kawawa? Pilipino pa rin. Walang katapusan ito ‘pag idadaan sa armed struggle. Magmalasakit po tayo sa mga inosenteng nadadamay,” he continued.

“Kaya patuloy po ang serbisyo at tulong natin sa mga nagbabalik loob na former rebels at sa mga apektadong komunidad para makapagsimula sila muli at magkaroon ng mas maayos na buhay,” explained the Senator.

As they strictly adhered to the necessary safety and health protocols, Go’s staff conducted the relief efforts at Magdawat Barangay Hall where they assisted 584 individuals. Go’s team distributed meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the beneficiaries. In addition, some recipients received new pairs of shoes.

In his video message, Go urged those who are in the priority list to get vaccinated against COVID-19 so the country can immediately achieve herd immunity.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis po tayo dulot po ng COVID-19 pandemic. Mga kababayan ko, ang bakuna po ang pag-asa natin dito. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, ang bakuna po ang tanging susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Ang ating target ngayon ay makamtan natin ang population protection at herd immunity po. Sana po bago mag-Pasko, para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko,” he added.

Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to each beneficiary in a separate distribution.

The Department of Trade and Industry also assessed eligible recipients that would benefit from their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program.

Likewise, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries. The Office of Civil Defense also distributed health kits.

As an advocate for quality healthcare, the Senator advised the beneficiaries, particularly the poor and indigent patients, that there is a Malasakit Center at the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City that they may visit to avail medical assistance.

Under the Malasakit Centers Act, all hospitals that are administered and managed by the Department of Health, plus the Philippine General Hospital are mandated to have their own Malasakit Center. Other public hospitals may also establish their own provided they can guarantee the sustainability of its operations.

There are currently 136 Malasakit Centers nationwide that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by concerned agencies, such as DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

To boost infrastructure development needed to also help address root causes of insurgencies in provinces, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, pushed for the funding of numerous initiatives in the area, such as the construction of farm-to-market road; and concreting of local access roads.

He also supported initiatives to improve roads and other public structures throughout the province of Samar, such as the construction of a multi-purpose hall in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan; concreting of roads in Daram; construction of farm-to-market roads in Pinabacdao; construction of a shoreline protection in Tagapul-an; and the construction of a public park in Tarangnan, among others.

Several of the local government officials were commended by Go for their service to their constituents during this time of crisis. Among the officials were Representative Sharee Ann Tan, Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, Vice Governor Angelica Gomez, Mayor Terry Mabag, Vice Mayor Digoy Aguia, among others.

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

“Kailangan natin magtulungan. Hindi po namin kayang mag-isa po ito, kailangan nating magbayanihan, kailangan po natin magmalasakit po sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Kapag nagtulungan tayo, malalampasan po natin itong krisis na ito,” Go ended.

On July 14, Go sent his outreach team to deliver similar assistance to RCSP beneficiaries in the town of Basey. (OSBG)