PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its work to provide support to those who need it most, this time delivering relief to the residents made vulnerable by the pandemic in Ibajay and Tangalan, Aklan. The activity is the latest of several distributions in various towns, the most recent of which are Libacao, Madalag, Makato and Numancia.

Go’s outreach team on Tuesday, October 19, provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 4,000 residents at the Ibajay Sports Complex and Barangay Tagas Multi-purpose Pavement in Tangalan. They gave selected beneficiaries new shoes and bicycles for their daily commute, as well as computer tablets for children’s educational needs.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance as part of a government effort to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on communities. The Department of Agriculture also handed out separate financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in a separate distribution.

On the other hand, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

In a video message, the senator, who is Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, reminded Filipinos not to delay seeking medical attention for their conditions as he reassured that hospitals are safe and ready for all patients. He offered medical assistance to the poor and indigent and advised them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Centers program at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo.

“Marami pang Pilipino ang hindi pa nakakaalam sa Malasakit Center kaya sabihan niyo ang mga kapitbahay niyo na mayroon na din kayo dito sa Aklan. Wala itong pinipili. Karapatan niyo bilang Pilipino ang maka-avail ng serbisyo nito,” explained Go.

“Halimbawa, may dagdag na gastos ang pasyente na hindi covered ng (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), diyan na papasok ang mga ibang ahensya. Ngayon, kung kulang pa ang tulong, ang bawat center ay may replenishable na funds mula sa Office of the President para pangdagdag tulong. Target ng Malasakit Center na maging ‘zero balance’ ang inyong hospital bill para wala na kayong babayaran,” he continued.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act. The law streamlines the provision of medical assistance from the government by bringing together the concerned agencies, namely the DSWD, PhilHealth, Department of Health, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering patient services and expenses, such as surgeries, laboratories and medicines.

“Dati akong kusinero sa isang hotel. Nawalan kami ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya. Napakahirap ng buhay ngayon lalo na may sakit ang tatay ko. Hindi kami makabili ng gamot. Umaasa nalang kami sa pagta-tricycle ko para may panggastos kami sa pang-araw-araw. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ayudang natanggap namin. Gagamitin ko ito pangbili ng gamot ng ama ko,” said Alvin Mag-Apan, 22.

“Maraming salamat din at may pangbili na kami ng gamit pang eskwela ng mga anak ko. Wala pa rin silang mga gamit hanggang ngayon. Senator Bong, sana matulungan mo sila para makapagtapos sila. Sobrang hirap ngayon at walang trabaho ang asawa ko. Tumatanim nalang kami ng mga gulay at nagbebenta ng kakanin para may makain kami,” appealed Maribel Buhayo, 45, a barangay worker.

The senator also thanked various officials for their service and dedication to their constituents. Among these were 2nd District Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr., Governor Florencio Miraflores, Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, Ibajay Mayor Jose Enrique Miraflores and Vice Mayor Plaridel Solidum, and Tangalan Mayor Gary Fuentes and Vice Mayor Gene Fuentes.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of a two-storey building for the Ibajay District Hospital and other initiatives to accelerate the infrastructure development and improve the delivery of public services in Aklan.

Other major initiatives include the construction of roads in Balete and Makato; riverbank protection structures along the Tigayon-Kalibo and Minalezo sections of the Kalibo River; a multi-purpose building for monitoring emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; multi-purpose buildings in Balete and Buruanga; and evacuation center and slaughterhouse in Numancia; as well as the rehabilitation of the Altavas, Ibajay and Libacao public parks.

All distributions were conducted in small batches and under strict compliance with health protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)