PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go conducted a series of activities in Sagbayan, San Isidro and San Miguel, Bohol on Saturday, October 23, as it continued its work to help Filipinos hit hard by the global health crisis.

In a video message, Go reassured the people that the national government is ready to extend all necessary assistance and support to help local efforts to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

“Sa mga taga-Bohol, alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon at nasa krisis tayo dulot ng pandemya. Hindi lahat maaaring makapaghanap ng trabaho, lalo ng dahan-dahang pa lang bumabalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya. Kailangan muna natin magtulungan sa isa't isa at magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa,” said Go

“Konting tiis pa po. Bukas ang aming opisina ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kung ano pa ang pwede naming maitulong sa inyo. Huwag kayong mag-alala dahil malalampasan din natin ang pandemyang ito,” he added.

Go’s team provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 2,255 residents at their respective municipal gyms. They gave some residents new shoes and bicycles for their commuting needs. They also gave away computer for children's use in their blended learning activities.

As part of a set of interventions by the government for communities in crisis, personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed beneficiaries needing alternative livelihood and employments options.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in turn, handed out financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program in a separate distribution.

“Sobrang hirap ngayon kasi wala kang mahanap na maayos na trabaho. Pero kahit hindi permanente, patuloy pa din akong nagsisikap para may pambili kami ng bigas. Nagpapasalamat ako ng marami kay Senador Bong Go para sa tulong niya sa mga mahihirap. Malaking bagay ito para sa aking pamilya,” said Raul Satorre, 41, a carpenter.

“Salamat, senador at sa gobyerno, sa tulong niyo at hindi kami makakilos para makapaghanapbuhay ngayon. Anim lang kaming nag-aararo sa sakahan kaya medyo mahirap. Minsan, lugaw nalang kinakain namin. Gagamitin ko po ang tulong natanggap ko para magtinda ng grocery para may extra income kami,” added Nilo Casol, 50.

In his message, the senator also offered further aid to any resident struggling with medical expenses. He encouraged them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City and at the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay where they may conveniently apply for medical assistance from the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop initiated and authored into law by Go which brings together the national agencies that offer medical assistance programs, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go proceeded to thank various officials for extending their assistance to their affected constituents. Among these were 2nd District Representative Erico Augmentado, Governor Arthur Yap, Vice Governor Rene Relampagos, Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez III and Vice Mayor Asuncion Ybañez, San Isidro Mayor Diosdado Gementiza Jr. and Vice Mayor Filemon Mantabote, and San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez and Vice Mayor Faustino Bulaga.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various initiatives to improve infrastructure development and delivery of public services in Bohol, such as the repair and improvement of the Sagbayan public market, installation of solar streetlights in San Isidro, concreting of an access road in San Miguel.

Other major initiatives he supported include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Loay, Loon, Valencia and Tagbilaran City; construction or improvement of evacuation centers in Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia Hernandez, Panglao and Valencia; construction of a slaughterhouse and improvement of the waterworks system in Inabanga; improvement of the public market in and procurement of a mini-dump truck for the local government of Clarin; and installation of a water system in President Carlos P. Garcia.

Last September 3, his staff also provided relief to 100 residents in President Carlos P. Garcia and Ubay. All activities were conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols. (OSBG)