PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, August 24, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team distribute aid to 2,000 essential workers, mainly composed of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members, vendors, farmers, and fisherfolk, in Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Go’s team carried out the relief operation at the municipal gymnasium where they split the recipients into smaller batches and implemented strict safety and health guidelines against COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus.

The beneficiaries were then given meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Select beneficiaries even brought home new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use.

As part of the Senator’s commitment to making certain that underprivileged students have access to quality education, Go sent to some recipients computer tablets that are intended to aid their children to engage better during their classes under the blended learning approach implemented in schools.

“Sa mga kabataan, mag-aral po kayo ng mabuti, kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito. Sasaya po ang inyong magulang kapag nakapagtapos kayo ng inyong pag-aaral, at edukasyon ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito,” Go said in his video message.

Go also commended several government agencies for exerting efforts to provide other forms of assistance to the vulnerable groups.

Through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted the beneficiaries financial assistance to support their essential needs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture gave supplies of vegetable seeds. The Department of Health, in turn, conducted an on-site medical check-up and provided additional face masks.

Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment each evaluated potential individuals for their respective livelihood programs.

Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority determined qualified individuals who will be given the opportunity to take part in their scholarship program.

“Mga kababayan, alam kong hirap na kayo. Kami rin ni Presidente Duterte, nahihirapan din kami. Pero kayo ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para magtrabaho pa para ating malampasan ang krisis na ating kinakaharap,” expressed Go.

Being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the free COVID-19 vaccination program. The Senator mentioned that their participation in the inoculation will greatly contribute to the government’s target of attaining population protection and eventually herd immunity.

Furthermore, with the alarming rates of COVID-19 cases caused by the new variants, Go cited the importance of getting these doses to help the nation return to normalcy as the government strives to balance economic and health issues.

“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,” expressed Go.

“Pakiusap lang namin ni Presidente Duterte sa inyo ay huwag magkumpiyansa. Face mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay. Kailangan ang kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan. Pakiusap lang, ang ginagawa ng gobyerno ay para sa ikabubuti ng lahat ng ating mga kababayan,” he continued.

Continuing his message, the Senator encouraged locals with health concerns to visit any of the seven Malasakit Centers in Zamboanga Peninsula where they will be assisted by government agencies that offer medical assistance programs, namely DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Malasakit Centers are located at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City and Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig, both in Zambonga del Sur; Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City; Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City, and Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City, both in Zamboanga del Norte.

The center is a one-stop shop that seeks to reduce the hospital bills of poor and indigent patients to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses.

“Mga kababayan, mayroon na tayong 137 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center, batas na ‘yan na aking isinulong noon, na pinirmahan ni Presidente Duterte para talaga ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients,” Go said.

Apart from the assistance, Go, as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of an evacuation center in Talusan.

To further boost economic growth and improve public service delivery in Zamboanga Sibugay, Go likewise supported the construction of other multi-purpose buildings in Alicia, Buug, Imelda, Ipil, and Talusan; construction or improvement of roads in Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Naga, and Olutanga; construction of street lights in Payao and Titay; construction of multi-purpose covered courts, acquisition of mini dump truck and an ambulance unit in Ipil; and the construction of a water system in Imelda, among others.

Concluding his remarks, Senator Go expressed his gratitude towards the local leaders for sustaining the development of their community despite economic challenges.

Among the officials were Representative Wilter “Sharky” II Wee Palma; Governor Atty. Wilter Yap Palma; Vice Governor Rey Oligario; Mayor Orlando Ramiso; Vice Mayor Ralimson Ramiso; Board Members Jonathan Yambao, Yvonne Marie Palma, Allan Escamillan, Jessie Lagas, and Cresencio Jore, and many others.

Go’s team also extended similar forms of assistance to more economic frontliners from the towns of Alicia, Diplahan, and Mabuhay. (OSBG)