PASAY CITY -- As the government continues to balance economic and health concerns, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains dedicated to his commitment to support underprivileged communities amid the global pandemic. Just recently, he extended assistance to hundreds of essential workers in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental on Tuesday, August 24.

In his video message during the relief operation conducted at Plaridel Evacuation Center, Senator Go expressed his gratitude towards the 700 vendors and tricycle drivers for their contribution to help the economy recover. He then reaffirmed that the government strives to develop more programs that would help those whose livelihoods was challenged by the pandemic.

The Senator, being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the beneficiaries to always make their health a priority even in the heights of economic challenges. He then encouraged locals to get inoculated as the government exerted great efforts to acquire these vaccines to ensure that the country achieves herd immunity.

Go also reached out to the local authorities to make certain that residents receive their jabs immediately when the doses are delivered to their community. He further asked the local government of Plaridel to get creative and develop their vaccination roll-out strategies to efficiently motivate residents to get vaccinated.

“Kapag nasa priority list na kayo pakiusap lang magpabakuna na kayo, dapat protektado kayo. Kapag bakunado kayo mas maiiwasan ang pagkagrabe ng sakit na COVID-19,” Go expressed.

The essential workers were then grouped into smaller batches and Go’s staff even implemented necessary safety and health guidelines to safeguard the beneficiaries from the virus. Go’s outreach team then handed out snacks, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

Bicycles and new pairs of shoes were also given to select recipients while others brought home computer tablets for their children to use for their classes under the blended learning set-up.

Representatives from several government agencies were also in attendance to extend different forms of assistance to further help the vendors and tricycle drivers to sustain their needs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture brought seed supplies.

More so, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted an on-site assessment wherein qualified individuals will be offered scholarship grants.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, through their respective programs, will give livelihood opportunities to potential beneficiaries based upon their evaluation.

In line with his efforts to ensure quality health care services are accessible to underprivileged communities, Senator Go primarily pushed the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 wherein all hospitals administered and managed by the Department of Health, and Philippine General Hospital shall establish their Malasakit Centers to help poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

Go mentioned in his message that there is one Malasakit Center in Mayor Hilario A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City that locals may visit if they may need medical assistance.

He then reassured that patients will receive necessary medical assistance from concerned agencies, such as DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Huwag magkumpiyansa pakiusap lang, disiplina ang kailangan. Sumunod sa health protocols, face mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay,” Go reminded.

“Kung hindi kinakailangan huwag munang lumabas ng mga pamamahay dahil delikado pa ang panahon ngayon,” he continued.

Adding to his remarks, the Senator gave recognition to the local government officials of Plaridel for spearheading their community to build back better from the challenges brought about by the global pandemic.

“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo. Kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po upang malampasan natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” Go said.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo. Dahil para sa amin po ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported some infrastructure development in the municipality to help improve public service delivery, such as the completion of the Municipal Sports Complex and the construction of a multi-purpose building.

He also helped in the funding of the rehabilitation of roads in Aloran, Bonifacio, Calamba, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela, and Sinacban; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Concepcion, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Tangub City, Tudela, and Oroquieta City; and installation of streetlights in Ozamiz City and Tangub City, and along national highways and provincial roads.

On August 26 and 27, Senator Go's team conducted similar relief efforts to 1,248 recovering persons who used drugs (RPWUDs) in the town of Tudela to help them start life anew. (OSBG)