PASAY CITY -- On Thursday, August 26, the team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go conducted another series of relief efforts for 200 beneficiaries in Palapag, Northern Samar following their distribution in the towns of Las Navas and Lapinig.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Marami pong nawalan ng trabaho, marami pong nagsara na negosyo. Magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan tayo at magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go expressed in his video message.

Go’s outreach team conducted the event at Palapag Municipal Gymnasium where they went on to group the beneficiaries into smaller batches and proceeded in handing out relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

Some recipients received new pairs of shoes and computer tablets while others brought home bicycles that they can use to easily travel to work or get daily essentials.

To help them kick-start possible small business ventures, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance to each of the beneficiaries through their Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority committed to provide livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively, to qualified individuals.

Go’s staff implemented necessary health guidelines during the distribution activity to ensure the public’s safety against the threats of the coronavirus.

The Senator, being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, further offered medical assistance to those with health concerns as he advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman town where agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, will assist poor and indigent patients with their hospital bills by covering various medical fees and patient services.

“One-stop shop po ‘yan, nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno. Tutulungan po kayo hanggang maging zero balance ang inyong billing. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” Go said.

Likewise, Senator Go encouraged locals to participate in the vaccination program in order to help the government achieve population protection and eventually herd immunity. He then stressed that getting inoculated will not only safeguard them from the virus, but will also contribute to the nation’s return to normalcy.

“Libre itong bakuna, para ito sa proteksyon ninyo. Kapag bakunado na kayo, mas maiiwasan ang pagkagrabe ng sakit ng COVID-19. Pakiusap lang, magpabakuna na kayo para ito sa proteksyon ninyong lahat,” Go said.

Go, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure development initiatives in the province to provide more economic opportunities to struggling communities.

Among these are the construction of a drainage canal, and construction of a multi-purpose building in Las Navas; 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.

He also supported the construction of road linkages in Catubig, Gamay, and San Roque; public market circumferential road in San Jose; drainage canal in Quirino; and footbridge in Biri.

Go then extended his gratitude towards the local officials, such as Representative Jose “Jun” Ong, Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Vice Governor Gary Lavin, Mayor Manuel Aoyang, Vice Mayor Marlo Agno, and many others.

“Mga kababayan ko, nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang tumulong po sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Trabaho po namin ang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat,” Go said.

“Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyong lahat,” he ended. (OSBG)