PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged communities not to give in to complacency, saying more attention must be given to the importance of following health protocols, such as wearing masks and face shields when in public, observing physical distancing, frequent handwashing and avoiding non-essential travels, amid the growing threat of the coronavirus variants.

In a video message at a relief operation in El Salvador City and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday, August 17, Go encouraged everyone to take the necessary precautions while waiting for the vaccines so they can help to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe.

“Sa laban kontra COVID-19, nakasalalay sa bawat isa ang ating kaligtasan. Kaya mga kababayan, magtulungan at magkaisa tayo para masugpo natin ang sakit na ito. Mahirap ang laban dahil kada panibagong variant na dumarating ay tumataas ang bilang ng mga kaso,” said Go.

“Ayaw man isara ng gobyerno ang ekonomiya dahil marami ang nawawalan ng trabaho, kailangan pa din natin unahin ang buhay at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan,” he continued.

The Senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 438 market vendors at the El Salvador City Hall and Jasaan municipal covered court. To ensure their health and safety, the activities were conducted in batches and strict compliance with other government-issued protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Selected recipients received new pairs of shoes while some were given bicycles for a more hassle-free commute. Others received computer tablets to help their children easily access educational materials and participate better during classes.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were likewise present and provided each beneficiary financial assistance as part of an ongoing effort to assist vulnerable sectors impacted by COVID-19. The Department of Agriculture gave away vegetable supplies in a separate distribution.

The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, on the other hand, conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Ako, nagpasalamat sa programa nga ginhatag si Senator Bong Go kag President Rodrigo Duterte. Karon adlaw nakadawat ko financial assistance. Nakadaog pa jud ko bike. Dream come true ni sa akon anak. Nalipay jud ko pagkahibalo ko nga ako nakadaog. So, magpasalamat ko sa tabang nga gin-extend ni Senator Bong Go kag President Duterte,” said Alma Pomampoc, a resident of El Salvador City.

(Translation: “Nagpapasalamat ako sa programa na ibinigay ni Senador Bong Go at President Rodrigo Duterte. Nakatanggap ako ng financial assistance ngayong araw. Nakapanalo rin ako ng bike. Dream come true ito para sa aking anak. Natutuwa ako nang malaman kong nanalo ako. So, nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong na ibinigay ni Senator Bong Go at President Duterte.”)

Continuing his message, the Senator reassured that the government is expediting the distribution of the vaccines particularly to the members of the A4 priority group, which includes market vendors and other essential workers, and will continue to prioritize other poor and vulnerable sectors in accordance with the prioritization framework.

To help ensure their well-being at this time, Go offered medical assistance to any beneficiary with health problems. He urged them to seek further assistance if needed at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, which both have fully operational Malasakit Centers.

The centers are one-stop shops which brings together the desk representatives of the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Center program, which Go legislated in 2019, has assisted more than two million particularly poor and indigent patients nationwide.

To end, the Senator thanked various officials for their enduring commitment to helping their constituents overcome the pandemic, including El Salvador Mayor Edgar Lignes and Vice Mayor Agripino Estrada, Jr. and Jasaan Mayor Redentor Jardin and Vice Mayor Jannus Estor.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go continues to support various infrastructure development projects around the country to improve the delivery of public services and create new economic opportunities.

In Misamis Oriental, he pushed for the construction of a road and development of the Tuburan Spring Eco-Park Phase II in El Salvador City; rehabilitation of the waterworks system in Jasaan; construction of a potable water supply system for Barangays San Antonio, Jampason and Bobontugan in the town; and installation of HDPE pipelines in Barangays Solana, San Isidro and Lower Jassan.

Go also supported the concreting of local roads in Alubijid, Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindinga, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay and Manticao; construction or rehabilitation of multi-purpose buildings in Binuangan, Kinoguitan, Magsaysay, Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City; construction of waterworks or drainage systems in Balingasag, Gitagum, Initao, Medina and Cagayan de Oro City; and construction of flood mitigation structures in Magsaysay, Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City, among others.

On April 22, Go’s team delivered relief to 22 residents after a fire broke out in Barangay Carmen in Cagayan de Oro City. (OSBG)