PASAY CITY -- As part of a continuing effort to address the economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended additional support to the residents of Tarlac City and Moncada, Tarlac from October 18 to 21.

In his video message, Go urged residents to maximize the assistance provided by the government to provide for the basic needs of their families.

“Sa mga kababayan ko diyan sa Tarlac, sana nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam namin na napakahirap ng panahon ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari pero kapit po tayo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito. Malalampasan din natin itong krisis kung magtutulungan at magbabayanihan tayo,” encouraged Go.

“Siguraduhin niyong gagamitin niyo ang tulong na matatanggap ninyo sa tama. Dalhin niyo ito sa inyong mga pamilya at maraming naghihirap sa panahong ito," he continued.

The senator’s team handed out meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 9,000 micro-entrepreneurs and 2,000 indigent families. The activities were held at the Moncada Catholic School and the Tarlac Christian College and Ecumenical Christian College gyms, Capitol Garden Covered Court in Barangay San Roque, and Barangays San Isidro, Santo Cristo and Tibag covered courts in Tarlac City.

The team gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles for their daily commuting needs. They also gave away computer tablets for children who are studying at home with their blended learning activities.

In a separate distribution, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted financial assistance to the micro-entrepreneurs and indigent families through its Sustainable Livelihood and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation programs, respectively.

In his video message, Go reminded the public to remain vigilant by practicing the health and safety protocols against COVID-19, such as maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks and face shields, observing hand hygiene, and avoiding unnecessary travel.

He offered to help those with health concerns and informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance at any Malasakit Center, including at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City.

The center aims to make all existing government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting together the concerned agencies under one roof — including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Hindi na ninyo kailangan pang pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para humingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Isinulong ko ang batas na ito para tulungan kayo. Sa ngayon, mayroon na tayong 144 Malasakit Centers sa bansa. Kaya lapitan niyo lang ito dahil para talaga sa inyo ‘yan,” explained Go, who authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator ended his message commending various public officials for their commitment to the most vulnerable. He recognized 2nd District Representative Victor Yap, Governor Susan Yap, Vice Governor Carlito David, Tarlac City Mayor Maria Angeles and Vice Mayor Genaro Mendoza, and Moncada Estelita Aquino and Vice Mayor Jaime Duque, among others.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many local initiatives to improve access to jobs, markets, and services. They include the rehabilitation or concreting of the Tibag-Armenia Road, San Jose-Balanti Road, and other roads in Barangays Baras-Baras, San Jose de Urquico, Santo Domingom, and Santo Niño; and improvement of the flood control structures along the Moriones River in Tarlac City.

Other initiatives include the construction or improvement of roads in Bamban, Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Pura, Santa Ignacia, San Jose and Victoria; multi-purpose buildings in San Manuel and Victoria; and a new public market in Bambam.

Despite filing his candidacy for vice president for the upcoming national elections, Go maintained that his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate as a senator and ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind towards recovery amid the ongoing health crisis. His team recently held a series of activities for hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs in Capas on October 11 and 12. (OSBG)