MANILA -- On Tuesday, October 26, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent help to residents of the municipalities of Lupon and Manay in Davao Oriental who had been affected by a fire incident and a diarrhea outbreak.

During the distribution activities held at the Municipal Gym of Lupon and Brgy. San Ignacio Covered Court in Manay, Go’s personnel provided, meals, masks, face shields and vitamins to 152 beneficiaries. The fire victims received separate financial assistance and grocery packs. The activity was conducted in batches in strict compliance with necessary health protocols.

The team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected residents, as well as computer tablets for classes under the blended learning setup.

“Mga kababayan ko, sana ay nasa mabuti po kayong kalagayan. Nariyan po ang aking mga staff na patuloy pong umiikot upang makapagbigay nang kaunting tulong po sa inyo,” Go told the victims in a video call.

The senator also offered to help beneficiaries with their medical concerns. He reminded beneficiaries that they may avail of government medical assistance through the nearest Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.

“Kung kailangan niyo po ng tulong medikal, mayroon po tayong Malasakit Center sa inyong lugar at handang tumulong ito. One-stop shop po ito. Nariyan na po ang Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Health, at Department of Social Welfare and Development na handang tumulong po sa inyo, sa inyong hospital bills,” Go explained.

Signed into law in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, mandates all DOH-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their Malasakit Centers to help low-income patients with their medical expenses. To date, there are 146 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

The senator then urged the residents to continue supporting the government’s vaccination efforts by participating in the national inoculation program.

“Mga kababayan, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagbabakuna ng mga senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners at mga indigent. Magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo at maiiwasan niyo ang mga grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19,” said Go.

Meanwhile, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial support through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their various programs. The Department of Agriculture provided seedlings to the recipients.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay Sir Bong Go, sir. Salamat sa binigay ninyo, sir, na bike. Makakatulong ito at sa foodpack sir, Sa ngayon wala talaga kami. Sir, salamat, sir,” thanked Eduardo Polinar, one of the beneficiaries.

In his message, provincial and local leaders were also commended by Go for taking good care of their residents during the pandemic. He then went on to encourage beneficiaries to remain strong as the country continues to grapple with the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang po kapwa natin Pilipino,” he said.

“Basta kami ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil para sa amin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po 'yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

The Senator, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support for the funding of various infrastructure projects in Davao Oriental, such as the construction of the Matiao-Magsaysay Coastal Road, Monkayo-Boston Road, and the NHJ to Santiago - Macopa Road leading to Pusan Point.

He also supported the construction and improvement of roads in Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Cateel, Lupon, Manay, and Mati City; construction of a bridge in Caraga town; construction of a concrete revetment along the Lingayao River in Manay; and construction and upgrading of potable water systems in Baganga, Lupon, and Manay.

Furthermore, he supported the construction of the Davao Oriental Sports Complex in Mati City; rehabilitation of the Buso Hot Spring Park in Mati City; construction of a municipal slaughterhouse in San Isidro; installation of solar street lights in Banaybanay; and establishment of a park in Boston. (OSBG)