PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, October 12, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team visited Sta. Cruz in Laguna to respond to the needs of communities, particularly essential workers and senior citizens, affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The beneficiaries are from the municipalities of Cavinti, Luisiana, Sta. Cruz, Pila, and Victoria.

Go’s team, together with concerned government agencies, provided aid to 338 essential workers composed of barbers, beauticians, and senior citizens during a relief activity held at the Time Plaza in Sta. Cruz. They distributed snacks, vitamins, masks, and face shields.

The team gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles so they have better access to their basic needs and services. The team also gave computer tablets, an important educational tool, to help their children under the blended learning set-up.

“Sana po’y nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam ko pong mahirap po ang panahon ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Kailangan pong magtulungan tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” said Go in a video message.

The senator also urged the beneficiaries to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as data shows that those who are vaccinated have a lower chance of contracting severe infections.

“Mga kababayan ko, unti-unti na pong dumarating ang mga bakuna, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. ‘Pag nasa priority list na ho kayo, magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo at ang inyong pamilya. Nasa datos naman po ‘pag kayo po’y bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa pagkasakit ng COVID-19 o ito pong grabeng pagkasakit ng COVID-19 at maiiwasan po ang pagkamatay ‘pag kayo po ay protektado,” he said.

“Ang bakuna ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Ang atin pong gustong makamit ngayong taong ito ay population protection kapag 50% na po ang nabakunahan, at herd immunity naman po kapag 70% na po ang bakunado sa inyong komunidad,” he added.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in a separate event, also gave financial assistance as part of a set of intervention measures by the government for communities in crisis.

Go also reassured the beneficiaries that the Duterte Administration will continue to support underprivileged communities to help them recover from disasters amid the ongoing pandemic.

He then encouraged residents to seek medical care at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz or San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City where there are Malasakit Centers ready to serve them.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It seeks to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses.

The senator went on to thank the various officials who are working together to provide additional assistance and help their constituents cope with the pandemic. He specifically thanked Governor Ramil Hernandez and Vice Governor Karen Agapay.

Go, as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported various infrastructure initiatives in Sta. Cruz, such as the repair, construction and rehabilitation of various multipurpose buildings, as well as the concreting of farm-to-market roads.

Throughout Laguna, Go supported other projects such as the improvement of drainage systems in Biñan City. He also pushed for the acquisition of ambulance units in Calamba City, Liliw, Magdalena, Nagcarlan, and Santa Rosa City; and improvement of drainage canals in Cabuyao City and San Pablo City.

Despite filing his candidacy for Vice President for the upcoming national elections, Go stressed that his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate as a senator and in ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind towards recovery amid the ongoing health crisis.

“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po at ingat tayo parati, at magdasal tayo parati. At tandaan n’yo po, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” said Go.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo po sa inyong lahat. Dahil para sa amin po, ang serbisyo po sa tao serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. (OSBG)