PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its second week of relief work in Eastern Samar, bringing much-needed aid this time to the residents adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Hernani and Mercedes.
In a video message on Saturday, October 16, Go reminded the public to abide by the mandated health protocols to slow the spread of the virus down as the government works to reopen the economy and head toward normalcy.
“Sa aking mga kababayan, isapuso natin palagi na nakadepende sa tamang pag-iingat ang pagpigil ng pagkalat ng COVID-19. Kung hindi tayo makikiisa, mas malalagay sa peligro ang ating sarili at mga komunidad,” said Go.
“Kung hindi tayo susunod sa patakaran at tataas na naman ang bilang ng mga kaso, maaaring kailanganing higpitan pa lalo ang quarantine restrictions at magreresulta na naman ito sa pagsara ng kabuhayan. Mas hahaba pa ang kalbaryo natin laban sa pandemyang ito,” he cautioned.
The senator’s staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 2,000 residents from different sectoral groups at the Hernani and Mercedes municipal gymnasiums. They gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles, as well as computer tablets for children’s blended learning activities.
In a separate distribution, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, assessed potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.
“Mas lalong mahirap ngayon na may pandemya, lalo na senior citizen ako. Bawal lumabas at nag-aantay nalang ako kung sino magbibigay sa aking mga anak. Sa awa ng Panginoon ay nakakaahon naman kami kahit papaano," said Leonora Guillero, 74, a resident of Barangay 4.
"Kay President Duterte, nagpapasalamat kaming mga taga-Hernani at binigyan ninyo ni Senator Bong Go kami ng tulong para sa pagkain at gamot. Priority talaga namin ito ngayon. God bless you always at sana marami pa kayong matulungan na mga mahihirap gaya namin,” she continued.
In his message, the senator noted that many Filipinos living in poor or far-flung communities are unable to get medical care. He advised those struggling with out-of-pocket expenses to visit the Malasakit Center at the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.
“Inuuna namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga mahihirap, ‘yung helpless, hopeless at walang matakbuhan. Kaya hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka. Wala nang dahilan para hindi kayo matulungan, kahit na poor at indigent patient ka,” reassured Go.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go had principally authored and sponsored the bill that became Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
The senator ended his message thanking government officials for all the work they have done throughout the pandemic. They included Representative Maria Fe Abunda, Governor Ben Evardone, Vice Governor, Maria Goteesan, Hernani Mayor Amado Candido and Vice Mayor Edgar Boco, and Mercedes Mayor Edwin Quiminales and Vice Mayor Jose Talagtag.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the upgrading of the access road in Barangay Sung-an in Mercedes and various other infrastructure development initiatives to create more economic opportunities in Eastern Samar.
