PASAY CITY -- As poor and marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt of the public health crisis, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided relief to the residents in Subic, Zambales whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by restrictions to control the spread of the virus.
In a video message at an activity on October 14 and 15, Go assured Filipinos that the government will continue to balance economic recovery and health protection as he reminded residents of the simple and yet effective ways to put an end to the COVID-19 crisis. He also encouraged them to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help the country return to normalcy.
“Huwag nating isantabi ang mga basic protocols, gaya ng pagsuot ng mask at face shields, palaging paghugas ng kamay, pag-obserba ng social distancing, at pananatili sa loob ng bahay kung hindi naman kailangang lumabas. Paulit-ulit na ito, kung hindi tayo susunod, mas mahihirapan tayo,” said Go.
“Higit sa lahat, magtiwala tayo sa national vaccine program at magpabakuna na kaagad ayon sa priority order na ipinapatupad. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagdating ng bakuna at pinapabilis na natin ang rollout upang marating natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity sa lalong madaling panahon,” he explained.
His staff handed out meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 3,500 indigent residents, market vendors and members of the local Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association. The activities were carried out in batches at the Kolehiyo ng Subic, Subic National High School and Subic Central School in compliance with the protocols against COVID-19.
They gave selected residents new shoes and bicycles for their commuting needs, as well as computer tablets for children’s educational use.
In a separate distribution, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out with financial assistance as part of a continuing effort by the government to alleviate the adverse socio-economic effects of the health crisis.
The senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, offered further assistance to those in need of medical care. He strongly advised particularly poor and indigent patients to visit the Malasakit Center at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town.
The center is a one-stop shop which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program has benefited three million patients throughout the country since the pilot location was opened in 2018.
In the end, Go expressed gratitude to various officials for their ongoing efforts to assist poor and marginalized communities affected by the pandemic. Among these were 1st District Representative Jeffrey Khonghun, Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Vice Governor Jefferson Khonghun, Mayor Jonathan Khonghun, and Vice Mayor Lauro Simbol.
As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various initiatives to improve access to public services and stimulate economic activity in the province. They include the rehabilitation of roads in Cabangan, Candelaria, Masinloc, San Felipe, San Marcelino and Olongapo City; construction of a multi-purpose buildings and installation of street lights in Botolan; acquisition of multicabs and construction of a multi-purpose building in Iba; rehabilitation of a public market in Cabangan and San Antonio; and construction of a seawall in Masinloc.
