Go also urged local officials to work together with the national government as vaccines are delivered around the country on a regular basis as supplies arrive. He then requested that local governments assist in hastening the vaccine rollout in order to achieve population protection against COVID-19 and, eventually, herd immunity in communities.
“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang ho tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang rin kapwa nating mga Pilipino,” said Go.
Held at Brgy. Palayan Covered Court, Go’s staff made certain that safety and health protocols were strictly observed during the relief operation as they grouped the economic frontliners into small batches while they received essentials, such as snacks, masks, face shields, and vitamins.
The Senator also gave some of the recipients new shoes and bicycles that they could utilize. In addition, some parents were given computer tablets to assist their children participate more actively in class as part of the blended learning set-up being implemented in schools.
“Salamat sa tulong na ibinigay ni Senator Bong Go at President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Maraming salamat po,” said Anthony Erquita, one of the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance grants to qualified recipients through their Sustainable Livelihood Program. The Department of Agriculture, in turn, gave supplies of plant seeds. The Department of Health also distributed hygiene kits.
Staff from the Department of Trade and Industry offered livelihood programs to qualified individuals while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, likewise, offered scholarship grants to determined beneficiaries.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Senator offered assistance to those with health concerns as he mentioned that there is a nearby Malasakit Center at Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City where they can conveniently seek medical assistance.
Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center aims to ensure that Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, will get the medical attention they need by putting all concerned agencies that offer medical programs, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof. There are now 137 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Several local government officials were then commended by Go for leading their communities in the fight against the pandemic. Among the officials were Representative Diego Ty, Mayor Junipher Roa, and Vice Mayor Jimmy Regalado.
Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, helped push for more infrastructure development in the province. Among those he supported are the concreting and improvement of various roads in Aloran. He also supported the construction of the eco-tourism highway, and the installation of solar streetlights along provincial roads.
Go also backed the rehabilitation of roads in Bonifacio, Calamba, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela, and Sinacban; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Concepcion, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Plaridel, Tangub City, Tudela, and Oroquieta City; and installation of streetlights in Ozamiz City and Tangub City.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga frontliners. Salamat po sa mga pulis at militar. Salamat rin po sa mga bumbero. Salamat po sa inyong tulong at sakripisyo po sa ating mga kababayan,” he ended. (OSBG)
