PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed aid to students in Siniloan town in Laguna on Wednesday, October 20. With necessary safety and health protocols strictly observed, Go’s staff provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 300 beneficiaries at the Siniloan town plaza.

“Sa mga estudyante mag-aral ho kayo nang mabuti. Bagama't hindi pa po tayo face-to-face learning sa ngayon dahil delikado pa po ang panahon. Pinag-aaralan pa po ng gobyerno dahil delikado po itong COVID-19 at talaga pong nakakahawa, lalung-lalo na po itong Delta variant na four times more contagious,” said Go.

“Ang importante po, tuluy-tuloy po ang kaalaman ng ating mga kababayan at makapagtapos po ng pag-aaral. Pakiusap ko lang po sa mga kabataan para sumaya ang inyong mga magulang, mag-aral ho kayo nang mabuti at kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito,” he added.

Go also gave selected students computer tablets, shoes, and bicycles to help them with necessary travel amid the limited public transportation options.

As part of an ongoing government effort to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable sectors, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the local government unit of Siniloan also distributed additional aid.

In his video message, Go, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his concern for Filipinos who are still reluctant to get inoculated. He then appealed to the public to support and trust the national vaccination drive and to get vaccinated immediately to protect them from COVID-19.

“Kapag nandiriyan na po kayo sa priority list, magpabakuna na po kaagad kayo. Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19," Go emphasized.

Meanwhile, the senator offered additional assistance to the beneficiaries and their loved ones in need of medical attention. He advised them that they may conveniently seek medical care at San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City or Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist them with their hospital and other medical-related expenses.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to provide particularly poor and indigent patients with convenient access to medical assistance programs.

“Mayroon na ho tayong 144 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa mga poor and indigent patients, zero balance po ang target po ng Malasakit Center,” said Go.

Ending his remarks, Go commended the local officials for supporting their constituents during these challenging times, saying, “Salamat po sa inyong tulong sa panahong ito. Huwag niyo pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap po.”

To improve access and create more economic opportunities in the said communities, Go, as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of a multi-purpose building and the procurement of medical equipment for Siniloan Infirmary Hospital in Siniloan.

Throughout Laguna, Go also supported the construction of the farm-to-market road along Sitio Sta. Ana, Barangay Ermita, and the construction of a multi-purpose covered court at Brgy. Ibaba del Norte in Paete; the construction of drainage canal at Brgy. Banaybanay in Cabuyao City; and the acquisition of an ambulance unit for Brgy. Macabling and the repair of the primary road inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City.

He likewise supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Sta. Cruz, and Sta. Maria; acquisition of ambulance units in Calamba City, Liliw, Magdalena, and Nagcarlan; acquisition of a multi-purpose vehicle in Magdalena; installation of street lights in Lumban, and Magdalena; construction of slaughterhouses in Mabitac, Nagcarlan, and Pagsanjan; and the construction of public markets in Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan, and Rizal.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. (OSBG)