PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to assisting the local economy as he extended aid to hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas on Monday, October 11.

Go’s staff handed out meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to 302 beneficiaries at the Mataas na Kahoy Municipal Hall. The beneficiaries were grouped into smaller batches to ensure a well-coordinated distribution in compliance with the health and safety protocols.

Moreover, Go gave away new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select recipients. He also gave away computer tablets to help children easily access educational materials they need for their classes under the blended learning set-up.

As part of the government’s holistic support for sectors impacted by the pandemic, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each worker with livelihood assistance grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Salamat po sa DSWD at iba pang ahensya sa mga programa nilang pangkabuhayan. Sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programang ito, mabibigyan ang mga nangangailangan ng puhunan, tuturuang magnegosyo, at tutulungang palaguin ito,” Go said in a video message.

“Mas masarap nga naman ang pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ang pagnenegosyo sa tamang paraan. Dalhin ninyo ang kita sa inyong mga pamilya at gamitin ito nang tama para makaahon po tayo sa paghihirap na pinagdadaanan natin ngayon,” he added.

The senator, being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to help those who are in need of immediate hospital care. He encouraged them to seek medical assistance from the available Malasakit Centers in Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery or Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which streamlines the process of acquiring aid from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office. The program, which Go initiated in 2018, has now benefitted more than three million Filipinos nationwide.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte, para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center. Handa pong tumulong ‘yan sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go said.

“Mga kababayan ko, kung mayroon ho kayong mga pasyente na kailangan pong dalahin sa Maynila, sa (Philippine) Heart Center, sa Kidney Institute (NKTI), sa (Philippine) Lung Center po, magsabi lang po kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte,” he added.

Go also encouraged the micro-entrepreneurs to get vaccinated to safeguard them against the virus while they help the local economy recover. He then urged the public to take extra precautions even after getting fully vaccinated to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Habang patuloy po ang pagbabakuna, kailangan po ang kooperasyon, kailangan po ang disiplina ng bawat isa. Ang importante po ay walang masayang na bakuna, walang masayang na oras, walang masayang na minuto, walang masayang na araw, dahil habulan po ito,” Go appealed.

“Please lang po, kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga pamilya, mahal niyo po inyong mga anak, magpabakuna na po kayo. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo,” he added.

Ending his remarks, the senator then lauded Representative Ma. Theresa Collantes, Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Mayor Janet Ilagan, Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan, and other local leaders for their commitment and dedication to help local businesses get back on their feet, especially during these challenging times.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of a multi-purpose building in the municipality to help improve public service delivery to constituents.

He also supported the construction of other multi-purpose buildings in Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, Nasugbu, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, and Taal; concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Calaca, Laurel, Nasugbu, and Tuy; acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan, and Lemery; acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan; construction of slope protection structures in Batangas City, San Jose, and San Juan; construction and rehabilitation of flood control structure in Batangas City and San Juan; rehabilitation of public market in Cuenca; rehabilitation of Dr. Ernesto Malabanan Memorial Hospital in Tanauan City; and improvement of public parks in San Nicolas.

Go, who traces his roots to the Tesoro clan of Batangas, was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon in 2019. (OSBG)