PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Thursday, October 14, to lead the distribution of assistance to the city's vulnerable residents. He also engaged with local officials on how the national government can continue to help the province keep their constituents safe.

In a message given during an activity at Energy Park, Go highlighted the gains made through the vaccine drive and other efforts as he appealed for greater community support and involvement in the country’s pandemic response.

“Mga kababayan, mahigit 88 million na dose ng bakuna na ang dumating sa bansa at 23 million na Pilipino na ang fully vaccinated. Pinaghirapan ito makuha ng gobyerno kaya kung maaari ay magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo. Nasa datos naman na karamihan sa mga natatamaan ng COVID-19 ng grabe ay 'yung mga hindi bakunado,” said Go.

“Tingnan niyo sa Maynila, bumababa na ang mga kaso kasi 76% na ang mga bakunado. Target natin mabakunahan ang 70% ng bansa para makamtan natin 'yung herd immunity at maging masaya naman ang ating Pasko,” he continued.

The senator and his team provided meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 600 residents, composed of informal settlers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and indigent families. The distribution was carried out in batches to ensure the strict observance of health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Selected residents received new pairs of shoes, while others received bicycles so they can commute easily despite the limited transportation options in the area. Some were provided computer tablets to help their children with their educational activities under the blended learning approach.

As part of a cross-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives from various national agencies were also present to extend other forms of aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each resident with financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture gave away seedlings.

The Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

During his visit, Go also witnessed the ceremonial turnover of financial support from the national government to the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC). The DRMC holds the distinction of being the premier Cancer Center in Mindanao. The assistance, which amounts to PhP25 million, will be used for the purchase of a high-pressure oxygen booster equipment.

“’Yung tinurn-over na tseke ay tulong ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa ospital ninyo ay para may sarili kayong refilling station. Kadalasan kasi, hirap huminga ang mga pasyente na may COVID-19. Ngayon, hindi niyo na kailangan mag-order sa ibang ospital o supplier kasi ang ospital niyo mismo ang magsu-supply ng kanilang sariling oxygen,” explained Go.

To ensure other health concerns are addressed, the senator encouraged residents in need of medical care to seek the assistance of his office. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the DRMC which provides patients convenient access to the medical assistance offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

To expand access to government medical assistance, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The program, which was first launched in 2018 during his stint as the Special Assistant to the President, has assisted more than three million patients nationwide.

“Pakiusap ko mga doktor at social worker, lahat ng kailangan niyo sa ospital, tutulungan ko kayo sa isang kondisyon. Huwag niyong pababayaan ang mga pasyente na mahihirap... Ang lalapit sa inyo ay ang mga mahihirap na walang matakbuhan, ‘yung mga hopeless at helpless. Sila dapat ang ating unahin,” he appealed.

Ending his remarks, Go expressed gratitude to various officials for their untiring service amid the ongoing crisis. Among these were Mayor Allan Rellon; Vice Mayor Eva Estabillo; Councilors Ester Angoy, Alderson Rellon, Ronald Eliot, Ana Alvarez, Macario Bermudez II, Jose Caasi, Jan Sator, Rey Alba, Joseph Cabrera, Renante Robles and Bryan Angoy; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Ethan Monilla; Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Bai Ado; and DRMC Medical Chief Dr. Bryan Dalid.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure development initiatives to improve access and stimulate the development of the local economy. They include the concreting of a road in Barangay Visayan Village and construction of sections of the Tagum City bypass road.

He also supported the concreting of roads in Asuncion, Island Garden City of Samal and Panabo City; construction or improvement of the drainage systems and canals in Braulio E. Dujali; rechanneling of a river and construction of a river wall in Talaingod; construction of a concrete revetment along the Tagum - Libuganon River Basin and earth dike along the Sadpudon Creek in Carmen; construction of a multi-purpose building in Kapalong, New Corella, and Samal; and renovation of the public terminal, public parks, and plaza in New Corella.

Last June 1, the senator similarly witnessed the turnover of P200-million worth of financial assistance to the DRMC after which he and his team distributed aid to 2,100 frontline health workers. More recently, his staff delivered relief to 42 flash flood and fire victims in Barangays Aumbay and Cawag, Samal on October 7. (OSBG)