PASAY CITY -- As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged local leaders to help raise public awareness on and confidence in the vaccines to protect communities from COVID-19.
In his video message during the distribution activity in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Wednesday, August 25, Senator Go also urged national and local authorities to fast-track the vaccine rollout to ensure that even those from far-flung areas get inoculated.
“Hindi biro ang magkasakit sa panahong naghihirap pa rin ang ating ekonomiya. Mas lalong hindi biro kung kailangang tubuhan ka para makahinga habang mag-isa kang lumalaban na wala po ang iyong pamilya sa iyong tabi,” Go stressed.
As of writing, 32.39 million vaccine doses have been successfully administered by the government. Out of this number, 18.8 million Filipinos received their first dose while 13.59 million individuals have completed their second dose.
Go’s staff organized the distribution event in Las Navas Municipal Gymnasium where they grouped the 107 beneficiaries from various sectoral groups into smaller batches while they strictly adhered to safety and health protocols.
The outreach team then proceeded in handing out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. They also gave bicycles, new pairs of shoes, and computer tablets to select recipients.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance grants to the essential workers.
Furthermore, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority each conducted their evaluation where qualified individuals will receive livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively.
Emirson Lectana, a 28-year-old pedicab driver, conveyed his optimism that despite the struggles caused by the health crisis, he will continue to provide for his family and even participate in the vaccination program to ensure that he is protected from the virus.
“Dahil po kulang-kulang ang pasahero ay nagme-mekaniko na rin po ako. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako kay Presidente Duterte at Senator Bong Go sa binigay nilang oportunidad ngayon, malaking tulong po sa amin ito,” expressed Lectana.
The Senator then encouraged residents with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center in Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in the town of Catarman where medical assistance programs are easily accessible.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients may conveniently apply for government aid to cover their hospital and other medical related expenses
Go, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure initiatives in the municipality to boost its economic development, including the construction of a drainage canal, and a multi-purpose building at Colegio de Las Navas.
He also supported other initiatives in the province, including the installation of street lights in Rosario; improvement of the farm-to-market or local roads in Lavezares, Lopez de Vega, Pambujan and Victoria; as well as the construction of a seawall from Barangay Lagundi to Brgy. Kinaguitman in Allen town, among others.
The Senator then thanked Representative Jose “Jun” Ong, Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Vice Governor Gary Lavin, Mayor Arlito Tan, Vice Mayor Minda Tan, and other local officials for providing necessary support to their constituents especially at times of crisis situations.
“Gagawin po namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ito. Kailangan lang po magtulungan lang po tayo sa isa’t isa,” he ended.
Go’s team conducted similar distribution activities for 300 essential workers in Lapinig, and 200 in Palapag on August 14 and August 26, respectively. (OSBG)
