PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, October 13, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office delivered assistance to a total of 330 vulnerable individuals, composed of fire victims and displaced workers, in Caloocan City and Navotas City in Metro Manila.

In his video message during the activities held at Brgy. 66 Hall and Grace Park Elementary School, both in Caloocan City, and Brgy. San Roque Hall in Navotas City, the senator asked for the cooperation of the public and urged them to remain vigilant as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

He also assured that following the expansion of the vaccine rollout to the general population, inoculation efforts will continue to intensify to reach more far-flung areas.

“Patuloy na dumarating ang mga bakuna. Unti-unti na pinapadala ito sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa. Kapag nasa priority list kayo, magpabakuna na kayo. Huwag kayong matakot dito dahil ito ang susi para makabalik na tayo sa normal natin na pamumuhay,” the Senator said.

“Kaunting tiis lang po. Ginagawa namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya upang malampasan natin itong krisis. Importante na makamit natin ang herd immunity ngayong taon. Napakarami na ang nawalan ng trabaho at nagsara na negosyo. Bakuna ang kailangan para sumigla muli ang ating ekonomiya,” he continued.

Go reassured that the Duterte Administration remains committed to lead Filipinos in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that a holistic approach is being implemented through the convergence of concerned agencies to ensure that no Filipino is left behind towards recovery.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance as part of an ongoing effort by the government to alleviate their burdens caused by the pandemic and other crisis situations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment gave livelihood support to selected displaced workers in Caloocan City through their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

On top of these, Go’s personnel provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to the beneficiaries who were grouped into smaller batches to ensure a well-organized distribution in compliance with health and safety protocols.

The team also gave bicycles, new pair of shoes, and computer tablets that they may use for their educational and work needs.

Being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go advised that there are 27 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila that they may visit to conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

The Malasakit Center brings together partnered agencies, including the Department of Health, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to work hand in hand and ensure that medical assistance programs are more accessible to particularly poor and indigent patients.

Concluding his remarks, the senator recognized and thanked the local officials of Caloocan City and Navotas City for their untiring service to their communities during these unprecedented times.

“Hindi namin sasayangin ni Pangulong Duterte ang pagkakataong ibinigay niyo sa amin. Ibabalik namin ang serbisyo na para sa inyo. Hindi kami mangangako ng hindi namin kaya. Pero patuloy kaming magtatrabaho at magseserbisyo sa inyo hanggang sa huling araw ng aming termino dahil mahal namin kayo, mga kababayan," Go said.

“Tandaan po natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa tao, sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon,” he ended.

To facilitate the development of Metro Manila amid pandemic, Senator Go, who also serves as the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barangays 171 and 175 in Caloocan City; and the rehabilitation of the facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College, and the acquisition of ambulance units, truck, and multicab in Navotas City. (OSBG)