PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the public to follow the government’s protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during a relief effort in Buruanga and Nabas, Aklan for the towns' vulnerable residents.

In a video message on Wednesday, October 20, Go called for more patience and forbearance as he noted that a minor lapse in compliance could eventually lead to more infections and patient deaths in a community.

“Sa mga Pilipino, nakikiusap kami, habaan niyo ang inyong pasensya at sumunod tayo sa mga quarantine protocols. Sana po’y walang magpaespesyal. Isipin niyo na sa bawat isang positibo, pagkumalat ‘yan, marami ang madadamay. ‘Yun ang ayaw nating mangyari na kumalat itong sakit na ito at bumagsak nanaman ang ating healthcare system,” he reminded.

“Inuulit ko, disiplina mula sa lahat ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno at magsuot ng mask at face shield, mag-social distancing at maghugas ng kamay. Kung hindi kailangan ay ‘wag umalis ng pamamahay,” added Go.

His team distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 4,000 residents at the Barangay Poblacion covered courts in Buruanga and Nabas. The activities were conducted in batches, in compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

The team provided selected residents bicycles and new pairs of shoes to help them in their daily commute. They also gave some residents computer tablets for children’s use under the blended learning set-up being implemented by schools.

In addition, personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided 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, evaluated beneficiaries for their livelihood and scholarship programs, respectively.

“Wala akong trabaho ngayon dahil sa pandemic. Sobrang hirap dahil halos wala kang pagkakakitaan. Ultimo ‘yung pinagkakakitaan mong kaunti nawawala pa at hirap ka din makahanap ng trabaho. So, kanya-kanyang diskarte dito. ‘Yung pinagkakakitaan mong pera sakto lang sa pang-araw-araw mo,” shared Mark Francisco, 25, Brgy. Nazareth, Buruanga.

“Sa ngayon, nag-aalaga ako ng mga manok at kung mayroon, baboy, para may pangtustos ang pamilya ko. Gagamitin ko ang ayudang natanggap ko para mag-apply sa trabaho. Kay President (Rodrigo) Duterte at Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat po sa ayudang ito,” he added.

The senator, in his message, also offered to help cover the medical expenses of those suffering any health-related concerns. He advised those in need of medical assistance from the government to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo.

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate prior to President Duterte signing it into law on December 2, 2019.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs of the government. Its partner agencies include the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Center covers surgeries, medicines and other patient services and expenses.

“Sabihan niyo ang mga kapitbahay niyo na mayro’n kayong Malasakit Center na tutulong para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapa-ospital. Walang pinipili ito, walang pulitika ito. Para ito sa lahat lalo na ang poor and indigent patients,” reassured Go.

The senator went to express gratitude to 2nd District Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr., Governor Florencio Miraflores, Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, Buruanga Mayor Concepcion Labindao and Vice Mayor Femy Dumaguin, and Nabas Mayor James Solanoy and Vice Mayor Wilfredo Cezar for serving their contributions at this time. He also urged them to keep advancing the well-being of their constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the improvement of the municipal legislative building in Buruanga and other infrastructure development initiatives to facilitate the effective delivery of quality public services in the province.

Other major initiatives are the construction of roads in Balete and Makato; riverbank protection structures along the Tigayon-Kalibo and Minalezo sections of the Kalibo River; a two-storey building for the Ibajay District Hospital; multi-purpose building for monitoring emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; multi-purpose building in Balete; and evacuation center and slaughterhouse in Numancia. He also supported the rehabilitation of the Altavas, Ibajay, and Libacao public parks.

His team also recently provided relief to thousands of residents in Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libaco, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, New Washington, Numancia and Tangalan. (OSBG)