PASAY CITY -- As the government approved the opening of the national vaccination program to the general population, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to qualified Filipinos to get vaccinated immediately to protect themselves from the threats of COVID-19.

In a video message in a series of aid activities for Lanao del Sur residents from October 13 to 17, Go appealed to the public to trust the vaccination efforts in order to reach herd immunity soon toward the country's eventual return to normalcy.

“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,” said Go.

“Nasa datos naman po, ‘pag kayo po ay bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa pagkasakit ng COVID-19 o ito pong grabeng pagkasakit ng COVID-19 at maiwasan po ang pagkamatay ‘pag kayo po ay protektado. Ang bakuna lamang 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.

The senator's team provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 10,086 residents from Buadipuso, Mulondo, Romain, Poona Bayabao, Maguing, Taraka, Masiu, Piagapo, Balindong, Marantao, Saguiaran, Malabang, Picong, Binidayan, Lumbatan, Ganassi, Madamba, Tugaya, Pualas, and Marawi City.

The distribution was held in batches to comply with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Selected residents received bicycles for commuting and computer tablets for children’s blended learning experience.

To mitigate the impact of the pandemic on families, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each beneficiary with financial assistance.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator offered to assist those in urgent need of medical care. He informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance through the Malasakit Center located at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The Malasakit Centers program, which Go first launched in 2018 and was enacted into law in 2019 through a bill he authored and sponsored in the Senate, aims to improve the delivery of medical assistance to the poor and indigent by bringing together the relevant agencies under one roof. The agencies include the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Ending his remarks, Go recognized the leadership and hard work of local leaders in ensuring the welfare of their constituents.

“Salamat po kay Kapitan. Salamat po sa mga kagawad. Salamat po sa mga SK members. Salamat po sa mga frontliners. Salamat po sa mga pulis, sa mga sundalo at sa mga bumbero. Salamat po sa inyong tulong sa panahong ito. Huwag niyo pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap po,” he said.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the senator earlier supported the construction of barangay roads in Bacolod-Kalawi.

He also supported that construction of multi-purpose buildings in Balabagan, Butig, Ganassi, Kapatagan, Lumbaca Unayan, Malabang, Masiu, and Ditsaan-Ramain; the construction of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Marantao; and the construction of evacuation centers in Ganassi and Buadiposo-Buntong.

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

“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 added. (OSBG)