PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, October 11, provided assistance to the underprivileged sectors and communities in Cebu province.

In a video message, Go appealed to everyone to come in support of each other during these uncertain times, especially for the health workers who are risking their lives on the frontlines.

“Totoo pong mahirap ang buhay ngayon, pero ang pangunahing layunin muna natin ay ang maitigil ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa para mas mapabilis ang pagbalik natin muli sa normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Ang ating pagiging mga responsableng mamamayan na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa at nakikisama sa bayanihan ay ang susi sa ating mabilis na pag-ahon sa krisis. Magtulungan tayo para hindi bumagsak ang ating healthcare system habang binabalanse natin na pasiglahin muli ang ating ekonomiya,” he added.

Amid the increasing political chatter leading to the upcoming national elections, Go emphasized that his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate to the people and in serving them the best way he can.

“The campaign season will only last for three months until election day. Meanwhile, we have an unseen enemy named COVID-19 in our midst that we need to address and overcome, together with poverty, joblessness and hunger which also need our utmost attention, in order to fulfill our promise of a more comfortable life for all,” Go said before.

“Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna ‘yung pulitika, tapos na ‘yung filing, let’s go back to work. Unahin po natin ‘yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan bago ang halalan. At bakuna muna bago pulitika,” added Go.

The senator’s team provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 3,050 residents in batches at the Tudela Civic Center and Poro municipal gym.

They gave selected residents new pairs of shoes or bicycles that they can use to commute. They also provided others with computer tablets so their children can easily access educational materials for their classes under the blended learning approach.

In a separate distribution, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance to offset the impact of the pandemic. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

“Talaga mahirap ang buhay ngayon dahil walang trabaho at mahirap kumita ng pera. Nag-iisa nalang ako dahil wala na ang aking asawa at anak kaya kung minsan humihingi nalang ako sa aking kapatid para may pangkain ako. Maraming, maraming salamat po kay Senator Bong Go at may pangbili na ako ng bigas at ulam!” said Pablito Luceño, 68, a resident of Poro.

The senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, recognized that the ongoing crisis has disrupted access to vital health services for many poor Filipinos. He offered assistance to those with medical concerns and advised them to visit their nearest Malasakit Center where they may conveniently avail of further aid from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop which streamlines the provision of medical assistance by bringing the relevant agencies under one roof, specifically the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Its primary aim is to help reduce a patients’ hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the bill that became Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

"Magtinabangay lang ta. Kinsa magtinabangay, kita lang man mga kaigsuonan natong mga Pilipino? Ug pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," continued Go.

(Translation: "Magtulungan lang tayo. Sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang mga kapwa Pilipino? At mahal namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte."

At present, a Malasakit Center has been opened at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital in Cebu City, Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

The senator ended his message thanking various officials for their work in handling in the crisis. Among these were 4th District Representative Janice Salimbangon; Governor Gwendolyn Garcia; Vice Governor Hilario Davide; Poro Mayor Edgar Rama and Vice Mayor Luciano Rama Jr.; and Tudela Mayor Greman Solante and Vice Mayor Erwin Yu.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives to spur the development and improve the delivery of public services in Cebu. They include the concreting of the local road; rehabilitation of the water system and construction of multi-purpose buildings in Poro; and the provision of medical equipment for a hospital in Tudela.

Other major initiatives he supported include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, Cebu City and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madrilejos and Naga City.

On September 30, the senator’s staff also provided emergency assistance to 49 families who were displaced by a recent fire incident in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City. All activities were carried out in strict compliance with the protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)