PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go committed to intensify efforts in making certain that various sectoral groups secure necessary support from the government amid global pandemic as, recently, the Senator’s team distributed assistance to thousands of locals from the towns of Dumarao, Cuartero and Ivisan in Capiz province on Thursday, August 19.

The relief efforts were conducted at their respective Civic Centers in Ivisan and Dumarao, and at Cuartero Municipal Gym where Go’s team handed out relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to a total of 5,047 individuals.

Some recipients then received bicycles and new pairs of shoes while others brought home computer tablets to aid their children who are pursuing their education under the blended learning approach.

“Sa mga kabataan, bagama’t distance learning po tayo, importante po’y patuloy po ang inyong kaalaman at makapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral,” said Go in his video message.

Meanwhile, in a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance while the Department of Trade and Industry determined potential individuals who will be given livelihood support.

More so, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will be giving scholarship grants to those qualified recipients based on their evaluation.

Senator Go, being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered aid to those with health concerns as he encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of medical assistance programs that are conveniently available in the Malasakit Center at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City.

The Malasakit Centers Act is one of the many bills filed by Go that was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 as part of Senator Go’s commitment to push for measures that will improve access to quality healthcare in the country. The said act seeks to provide convenient access of medical aid to indigent patients by putting all concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, under one roof.

“Kay Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat po sa tulong na inihatid niyo. Kahit papaano ay nakakaraos kami dahil sa mga naiabot na tulong. Malaking bagay na ho iyon,” said Noey Fuentes.

Go also reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated to ensure the nation attains population protection leading to herd immunity soon. He then encouraged all residents and local officials to work together in making sure that vaccines are efficiently administered to the community.

“Ayaw nating mangyaring bumagsak po ang ating healthcare system, ‘yon po ang ating iniiwasan. Kaya kailangan po ang kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino,” Go expressed.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended his support for several initiatives to boost the economic growth of the province. Among the projects are the provision of an ambulance unit and two units of multi-purpose vans in Dumarao; improvement of local roads in Jamindan, Sapian, Ma-ayon, Mambusao, Pan-ay, and Pilar; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Pontevedra and Tapaz; acquisition of a multi-purpose vehicle in President Roxas; and the construction of a 5-storey building in Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City.

In his remarks, Go recognized Representative Fredenil Castro, Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, Vice Governor James Magbanua, Dumarao Mayor Edgardo Arancillo and Vice Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamin, Cuartero Mayor Tito Mayo and Vice Mayor Roger Flores, Ivisan Mayor Felipe “Ipe” Yap and Vice Mayor Bito delos Santos, and many other local leaders for their great contribution and support to their constituents amid the health crisis.

“Kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagtrabaho at makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat para malampasan po natin itong krisis na ito,” said Go.

“Basta kami ni Pangulong Duterte, narito lang po kami na handang magserbisyo po sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he ended. (OSBG)