PASAY CITY -- As COVID-19 continues to hamper economic activities in the country and create significant impacts on various sectoral groups, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains dedicated to promoting sustainable and comfortable lives for Filipinos despite the global health crisis.

Go’s team just recently conducted two separate distribution activities for 583 beneficiaries, who are comprised of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members and market vendors, from the towns of Culaba and Maripipi, Biliran on Monday, August 16.

In his video message during the events held at Culaba Municipal Covered Court and Maripipi Municipal Gym, Senator Go advised the beneficiaries to take health precautions more seriously as there are growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant.

As part of the vaccination priority groups, Go urged the essential workers to participate in the national vaccination program to secure population protection leading to herd immunity as soon as possible. He then appealed to the local authorities to develop an efficient program to persuade those who are hesitant to get inoculated immediately after vaccines arrive in the area.

“Marami ang nahihirapan, maraming nagsara na negosyo, maraming nawalan ng trabaho. Kaya ang kinakailangan, kooperasyon at disiplina ng ating mga kababayan. Pakiusap lang, magtulungan lang tayo at mahalin natin ang ating kapwa,” Go expressed.

Go, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged the residents to get medical attention in Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their medical expenses.

The Senator primarily pushed for the enactment of Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, to efficiently provide Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go’s personnel then proceeded to hand out relief goods, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some beneficiaries also took home new pairs of shoes, bicycles, or computer tablets.

Meanwhile, staff from DSWD gave financial assistance in a separate distribution to each essential worker while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority each conducted an on-site evaluation where qualified individuals will be granted with livelihood support and scholarships, respectively.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended his support for several infrastructure projects in each concerned municipality to further enhance their economic growth. Among these projects are the construction of a multi-purpose building, and the establishment of a public park and its seawall in the town of Maripipi, while there will be a construction of water system in Brgy. Bool West in Culaba.

Other projects he supported in the province are rehabilitation of local roads in Almeria, Kawayan, and Naval; acquisition of a dump truck in Biliran; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Caibiran and Naval; construction of flood control structures in Cabugcayan and Naval; and acquisition of new medical equipment for Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval.

Go then extended his gratitude towards Representative Gerardo Espina, Governor Rogelio Espina, Vice Governor Brigido Caneja, Culaba Mayor Humphrey Olimba and Vice Mayor Enrico Uyvico, Maripipi Mayor Joseph Caingcoy and Vice Mayor Felisa Mulles, and many other local officials for catering to the needs of vulnerable sectors, especially during these unprecedented times.

“Mga kababayan ko, parating mag-ingat, magdasal po tayo. At tandaan n’yo po minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon, dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he ended. (OSBG)