PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to work closely with government agencies and local partners to help small businesses cope with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Go’s team recently held a series of activities for aspiring and existing micro-entrepreneurs in Capas, Tarlac on October 11 to 12.

“Layunin po ng (Sustainable Livelihood Program) na mabigyan kayo ng kaukulang suporta upang magkaroon kayo ng sarili niyong hanapbuhay. Alam namin, hirap kayo makahanap ng trabaho ngayon, lalo na dahan-dahan pa lang bumabalik ang sigla ng ating ekonomiya,” Go said in a video message.

"Kung may maitutulong pa kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa inyo, magsabi lang kayo sa aming opisina. Hindi kami nagpapahinga dahil tuloy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo, lalo na sa panahon ng krisis,” he continued.

A total of 500 micro-entrepreneurs were given meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields in batches at the Capas municipal covered court, Barangay Cristo Rey covered court, Lourdes gymnasium, and O’Donnell Reycal Hall. The activities were conducted in compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Selected micro-entrepreneurs received new shoes, while some received bicycles so they can commute with ease. Meanwhile, others received computer tablets which their children may use for educational purposes.

“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.

“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.

To help them cope with the impacts of the pandemic, beneficiaries received livelihood assistance from representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in a separate distribution.

“Isa po akong solo parent and, at the same time, may anak ako na may special needs. Ngayong pandemic, sobrang hirap ng buhay dahil nawalan ako ng extra income. Hindi na ako makatinda at umaasa nalang kami sa sari-sari store. Hindi ko rin madala sa ospital ang aking anak para sa check-up niya at mahirap bumiyahe,” said Analisa Vermejo, 46.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Senator Bong Go para sa kanyang malaking tulong sa amin at may pangdagdag sa aking sari-sari store. May God bless you po palagi!” she added.

As part of his commitment to health care, the senator offered medical assistance to any individual facing health concerns. He informed them that they may avail of further aid from the government at the Malasakit Center located at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City.

“Kung may nararamdaman kayo, ‘wag niyo nang patagalin pa. Kadalasan, ayaw ng mga Pilipino magpa-check-up dahil baka malaki ang gastusin sa ospital. Alam ko kung gaano ka hirap maging mahirap pero hindi niyo na kailangang magmakaawa para makahingi ng tulong sa ating gobyerno,” said Go.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop he initiated where poor and other financially incapacitated patients may conveniently apply for medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. The program has 143 operating centers and assisted over three million patients across the country.

In the end, the senator thanked 3rd District Representative Noel Villanueva, Governor Susan Sulit, Vice Governor Carlito David, Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan, and Vice Mayor Roseller Rodriguez for their work in managing the pandemic and pledged to continue to supporting the recovery of the province and its people.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has supported many infrastructure initiatives to promote local development and growth in the rural parts of Tarlac. Among these are the construction or improvement of roads in Bamban, Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Pura, Santa Ignacia, San Jose, and Victoria; construction of multi-purpose buildings in San Manuel and Victoria; and construction of a new public market in Bambam.

Other major initiatives include the rehabilitation of the Tibag-Armenia Road, San Jose-Balanti Road, and other local roads in Barangay Baras-Baras, San Jose De Urquico, Santo Domingo, and Santo Niño; and the improvement of flood control structures along the Moriones River in Tarlac City.

The senator also pushed for the enactment of a bill which became Republic Act No. 11470. The law aims to promote the development of sports in the country through the establishment of the National Academy of Sports at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas.

Last July 15, Go personally witnessed the opening of the first 18-kilometer section of the Central Luzon Link Expressway project with President Duterte in Tarlac City. The newly opened highway is intended to reduce the travel time between Cabanatuan City and Tarlac City from 70 minutes to 20 minutes once it is fully operational. It will also be toll-free. (OSBG)