PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's office delivered assistance to transport workers and other sectoral groups, which included tricycle, bus and jeepney operators and drivers, returning overseas Filipino workers, market vendors and indigent residents in San Carlos City, Pangasinan from August 19 to 20.

A total of 5,000 beneficiaries received meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields from the Senator's staff. Selected recipients received new shoes, while others were given bicycles to use for commuting. Some parents also received computer tablets which their children can use for their educational needs.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were also on site, distributing aid to each beneficiary. To ensure everyone's health and safety, the activities were carried out in batches and in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

Joseph Malasan, a former OFW and one of the beneficiaries, detailed how the pandemic has affected his livelihood.

“Last year po, November 3, bumalik po ako ng Pilipinas. Hindi pa po ako nakakabalik dahil sa pandemic, kaya di ako naka-apply ulit. Sumasama po ako ngayon sa paggawa ng mga gripo at poso,” he said.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating national government at mayroon silang ganitong programa na magbigay ng ayuda. Nagpapasalamat po ako, lalung lalo na kay President Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go,” he added.

Meanwhile, essential workers should get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from the virus, according to Go.

“Pero habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, huwag maging kumpiyansa. Inuulit ko, disiplina po ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno--- mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay. Kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon,” said Go.

In addition, the Senator aided residents in need of medical attention, advising them to go to the Malasakit Center at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan for medical assistance.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can seek help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, institutionalized the initiative. There are now 137 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, also continues to support infrastructure development nationwide. In particular, he has helped push for the concreting of various roads in Aguilar, Mangaldan, Natividad, Alaminos City and Dagupan City; rehabilitation of existing roads in Balungao, San Jacinto and Umingan; construction of drainage or concrete line canals in Anda, Asingan and Alaminos City; construction of slope protection structures along the Cabatuan River in Bugallon and Marusay River in Calasiao; and rehabilitation of a flood control structure in the Dagupan river.

Other initiatives he supported in Pangasinan include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Binmaley and Burgos; construction of market stalls in San Quintin; upgrading of public markets in Dagupan City; construction of a maternal lying clinic in Dagupan City; purchase of medical equipment for the Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City and Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug; and acquisition of ambulances and dump trucks for Mangaldan and a multi-purpose vehicle for Urdaneta City.

Previously, the Senator had also pushed for funding for the development of a dialysis facility in Lingayen, as well as the provision of medical equipment for the Lingayen District Hospital and an ambulance for the local government.

To conclude, Go thanked Representative Baby Arenas, Governor Amado Espino III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Mayor Julier Resuello, Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello and the rest of the local officials for providing for the needs of their most vulnerable constituents.

“Ang hiling ko lang sana, suportahan natin ang ating Tatay Digong sa kanyang laban. Iisa po ang nais nating gawin bilang kapwa Pangasinense, ‘yon ay ang para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go previously said to fellow Pangasinenses.

On December 18, 2018, Go became an adopted son of the province of Pangasinan through a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and ratified by Governor Espino III. The province honors Go's extraordinary capacity in public administration to motivate every local leader in the implementation of their excellent plans and projects, according to the resolution.

“Mag-ingat po tayo, magdasal po tayo parati. At tandaan po ninyo, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito,” Go said.

“Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he concluded. (OSBG)