PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged concerned authorities to ensure the health, safety and well-being of Filipino workers by enforcing health and safety measures, amplifying contact tracing efforts, and ramping up vaccine rollouts.
In particular, Go emphasized that in order for the economy to fully recover, communities must be protected from the threats of COVID-19 especially in the respective workplaces of economic frontliners.
In a video message at an activity in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Go underlined the importance of mask-wearing, physical distancing and other health guidelines in light of the emergence of new and more infectious coronavirus variants in the country.
"Mga kababayan, alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon at nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Magtulungan tayo at malalampasan rin natin ito. Kailangan ng gobyerno ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng bawat Pilipino dito sa laban kontra COVID-19,” he said.
“Kaya sumunod tayo sa mga awtoridad. Kung hindi naman kailangan, 'wag munang lumabas ng pamamahay. Tandaan natin na habang nandiyan ang COVID-19 ay delikado pa ang panahon," continued Go.
Given the threat of the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, Go emphasized the important role contact tracers play in managing the pandemic and not squandering the chance for early preparation.
"Marami po sa ating mga kababayan ang gustong tumulong. Pwede silang maging contact tracers kung bibigyan sila ng karampatang training at kompensasyon bilang kabuhayan na rin sa mga nawalan ng trabaho," he said.
Go, likewise, called the attention of local government leaders to efficiently roll out vaccines to residents immediately after doses are delivered in their respective towns.
“Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay, upang maging masaya ang ating Pasko ngayong taon. Kaya pakiusap lang namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna, huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna,” said Go.
Meanwhile, the Senator’s staff provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 2,500 workers at the Buug National Pilot School on Thursday, August 26. The workers consisted of vendors, habal-habal drivers and members of the local Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association.
Selected recipients received new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles to improve their access to basic services. Some workers were provided computer tablets which their children can use for their school activities under the blended learning approach.
In a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each worker with financial assistance. The Department of Health conducted medical check-ups and handed out masks while the Department of Agriculture gave away vegetable seeds.
The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority committed to extend further aid based on their existing assistance programs.
With COVID-19 posing a serious threat to the sick and elderly, the Senator also offered to assist any worker with medical concerns. He informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government through the nearest Malasakit Centers.
To date, there are 137 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act in the Senate which was enacted into law in 2019.
To conclude his message, Go expressed gratitude to 1st District Representative Wilter Palma II; Governor Wilter Palma; Vice Governor Rey Oligario; and Board Members Jonathan Yambao, Marie Palma, Allan Escamillan, Jessie Lagas and Cresencio Jore for their leadership and guidance throughout the ongoing crisis.
He also thanked Mayor Dionesia Lagas; Vice Mayor Jonam Lagas; Councilors Marvin Gako, Abdul Dimasagka, Sonia Emorecha, Freida Curiba, Roger Lu Sr., Julio Alcantara and Francis Gumansing; Association of Barangay Captains President Romeo Cerbo; Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Jocelyn Chua; and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Ferdinand Pablo.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure initiatives to foster economic growth and development across the province. He helped push for the concreting of the local roads from Barangay Labrador to Poblacion, Brgy. Labrador to Talamimi and Brgy. Poblacion to Brgy. Pamintayan; and construction of multi-purpose buildings for the local bus terminal and public market in Buug.
He likewise helped in the construction or improvement of roads in Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Naga, and Olutanga; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Alicia, Imelda, Ipil, Mabuhay, and Talusan; construction of an evacuation center in Talusan; construction of a water system in Imelda; improvement of a drainage canal in Alicia; construction of street lights in Payao and Titay; among others.
The Senator's team held similar efforts in Titay, Mabuhay, Alicia, Diplahan and Siay from August 16 to 25. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure the strict observance of the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)
