PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent assistance to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigent groups, and members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association in Alitagtag, Batangas from August 18 to 19. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to safeguard the community and speed up the recovery of the economy.

“Mga kababayan ko, unti-unti na pong dumarating ang mga bakuna. Mahigit 40 million na po na bakuna ang dumating sa ating bansa. Kaya uulitin ko, pinaghirapan po natin itong mga bakunang ito. Kaya magpabakuna na ho kayo ‘pag nasa priority list na po kayo,” said Go.

Go also lauded the increasing public vaccine confidence in the country, saying, “Mabilis naman po ang ating pagbabakuna sa ngayon. Unti-unti na pong nag-i-increase bawat araw, nag-i-increase po ang tiwala, nag-i-increase naman po ang nagpapabakuna. Importante pong bakunado kayo para makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay at mapalakas muli ang ating kabuhayan.”

“Kaya, mga kababayan ko, magpabakuna na ho kayo para po protektado ang bawat isa at protektado rin po ang inyong mga pamilya. Sa ngayon po, halos 13 million na po na Pilipino ang nakakumpleto na po ng pagpapabakuna,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go’s team organized the distribution activity at the municipal gymnasium where the 1,666 beneficiaries, grouped in smaller batches, received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins while they observed necessary safety and health protocols.

"Salamat po kay Senator Bong Go sa lahat ng tulong na ibinigay n'ya sa amin dito po sa bayan ng Alitagtag," said Gilbert Gutierrez, one of the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development helped the beneficiaries as they provided them additional financial assistance.

Go also mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers in Batangas where beneficiaries can conveniently access medical assistance programs from DSWD, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office found inside the Malasakit Center as a one-stop shop.

Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City house these Malasakit Centers. There are currently 136 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

As the government continues to provide vaccines to protect more Filipinos from COVID-19, Go urged beneficiaries to remain vigilant, get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, and follow all COVID-19 health precautions to prevent the virus from spreading further.

“Social distancing tayo, hugas ng kamay, at kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng inyong pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon. Habang nandidiyan ang COVID-19, delikado po lumabas. Ingat po muna tayo parati, mga kababayan ko,” expressed Go.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the municipality to boost infrastructure development, such as the construction of multi-purpose buildings.

Go also extended his support to other initiatives in Batangas, including the construction of multi-purpose buildings and rehabilitation of roads in Agoncillo, Balayan, Batangas City, Bauan, Calaca, Ibaan, Lipa City, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, Taal, and Tuy; construction of potable water system in Balete; improvement of public market in Cuenca; acquisition of one ambulance unit in Ibaan; rehabilitation of Lobo River flood mitigation structure in Batangas City, Lobo, and San Juan; and improvement of public parks and plazas in San Nicolas.

He then thanked local and provincial officials for taking good care of their constituents amid the recent calamity. They include Representative Maitet Collantes, Mayor Edilberto Ponggos, and the rest of the local officials.

In a manifesto published by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon in 2019, Go was designated an adopted son of the CALABARZON region. They emphasized his many years of service under President Duterte, as well as his "heart for his country" as evidenced by the countless projects he initiated that have helped millions of Filipinos.

“Batangueño rin po ako... kahit na lumaki kami sa Davao, ang lolo’t lola ko ay dito lang sa Sto. Tomas at tsaka sa Tanauan kaya magkapitbahay lang po tayo. Lapitan niyo lang ako dahil patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa kapwa kong Pilipino. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan, mga kapwa kong Batangueño,” he also said.

On August 16, Go’s office also extended the same assistance to residents of San Nicolas, Batangas. (OSBG)