PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go thanked the agricultural workforce for working hard to help ensure the nation’s food security and economic recovery amid the ongoing pandemic. He urged the government to further promote their welfare and safeguard their well-being, particularly small-scale farmers.
His staff recently concluded a five-day relief operation for the farmers in Nueva Ecija on Friday, August 27. They provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 12,132 beneficiaries divided into smaller batches at several gymnasiums in Guimba town.
Each farmer was also granted financial assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of an ongoing effort by the government to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable communities.
In a video message, the Senator assured agricultural workers that they may reach out to his office should they need any form of support or assistance. He told them that the Duterte administration is committed to ending the ongoing crisis and helping communities attain population protection leading to herd immunity through its vaccination efforts.
“Kung may maitutulong kami sa inyo, magsabi lang kayo. Huwag kayong mahiya lumapit sa amin dahil trabaho namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magserbisyo sa inyo. Patuloy din tayong magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa upang malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin,” said Go.
“Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo sa inyo. Gagawin natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya upang makapagbigay ng tulong at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he reassured.
To make sure their health concerns are addressed, Go also offered to assist any beneficiary with medical concerns.
He advised them to avail of the services of the nearest Malasakit Center located at the Talavera General Hospital in Talavera, Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital or Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City. There are 137 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Go is the main author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The law aims to make existing government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the concerned agencies under one roof, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Nung wala pang pandemic, nakakaraos naman kami kasi nagbebenta din ‘yung asawa ko ng tinapa habang nagpapagamot ako para sa diabetes. Mahirap na ngayon kasi walang trabaho at humina din ang kita sa tindahan ko. Kalahating hektarya lang naman ang sinasaka namin at nag-uutang pa kami para sa aming gagamitin sa bukid kaya konti nalang natitira,” shared Salome Marquez, 46, a farmer from Barangay San Agustin.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay President Duterte at natulungan niyo po kami kahit papaano. Maraming, maraming salamat din kay Senator Bong Go kasi na subukan ko rin gamitin ang Malasakit Center nung na-confine ako sa Tarlac. Malaking bagay ‘yung pera na natanggap namin para sa aking pagpapagamot,” she continued.
The Senator ended his message thanking various officials for their hard work and asked them to continue supporting their most vulnerable constituents. Among these were 1st District Representative Estrellita Suansing; Galing Sa Puso Party List Jose Padiernos; Governor Aurelio Umali; Vice Governor Emmanuel Umali; and Board Members Rafael Villanueva, Eric Salazar and Roseller de Guzman.
He also recognized Guimba Mayor Jose Dizon; Vice Mayor Jesulito Galapon; Councilors Diane Beltran, Stephanie Alvarez, Julius Lumang, Bon Bon Dizon, Anthony Ubaldo, Virgilio Fabros, and Eric Mateo; Association of Barangay Captains President Remedios Agapito; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Paul Serrano; Kent Natividad; John Carlo Dizon; and Johnny Estabillo.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended his support for various initiatives in the province to upgrade its infrastructure and create more economic opportunities.
He supported the completion of DR. PJGMRMC in Cabanatuan City; rehabilitation of several roads in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Zaragoza and Cabanatuan City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa and Cabanatuan City; and construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, Quezon, San Antonio, and Zaragoza.
He supported other initiatives such as the reconstruction of the Llanera public market; rehabilitation of the Baloc public market; and installation of street lights in Zaragoza.
In 2019, the provincial board of Nueva Ecija declared the Senator an adopted son of the province, citing his work as a former special assistant of President Duterte, role in bringing the concerns of the people to the Chief Executive and continued support of the province. (OSBG)
