PASAY CITY -- In support of the government's efforts to protect the poor and most vulnerable, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team organized an activity for the residents of Limasawa, Southern Leyte who have lost their jobs and experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video message on Monday, November 8, Go reminded everyone eligible to get their shots immediately as he emphasized the importance of the vaccines in fighting the pandemic and bringing the economy back on track.

“Kung patuloy na bababa ang bilang ng nagkakasakit at tataas ang bilang ng bakunado, mas mabilis nating maibabangon ang ating ekonomiya at makakabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay pagdating ng panahon,” said Go.

“Nagsimula na ang pagbabakuna sa general population nitong Oktubre. Kaya pakiusap ko, please magtiwala tayo sa bakuna. Huwag tayong matakot dahil ito ang tanging susi para mabawasan ang pagkahawa-hawa o pagkalat ng coronavirus,” he explained.

Go's staff handed out meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 1,000 residents at the Barangay Calubihan covered court. To address other challenges brought by the pandemic, they gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles, as well as computer tablets for children’s blended learning activities.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance in a separate distribution. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority were also present to conduct assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Nung nagka-pandemya, kumuha ako ng loan at nagsimula ng sari-sari store para makatulong sa aking pamilya. ‘Yung asawa ko kasi nagtatrabaho bilang refiller ng water station at hindi kasya suweldo niya sa pang-araw-araw naming gastusin,” shared Elvie Alatraca, 39.

“Malaking tulong talaga ito bilang pangdagdag sa aking tindahan kasi maliit lang ang loan. Maraming, maraming salamat kay Senator Bong Go at Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte para sa kabutihan ng kanilang kalooban at napili nila ang Limasawa na maging beneficiary,” she added.

As part of his broader commitment to health care, the senator also offered to assist patients who need to get treatment or medication. He informed them that they can get further aid from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital in Maasin City.

The center is a one-stop shop which hosts the four agencies that offer medical assistance programs, specifically the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. A total of 148 Malasakit Centers have been opened across the country since the program was initiated by Go in February 2018.

“Lapitan ninyo ang Malasakit Centers para sa mga pangangailangan ninyong pangkalusugan. Pera niyo ito na ibinabalik sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo,” continued Go, who served as the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Para ito sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap na nangangailangan ng tulong sa pampagamot. Sisiguraduhin natin na pagdating sa serbisyo mula sa gobyerno, sila ang ating uunahin palagi,” he reassured.

To end, the senator recognized former representative and acting Public Works and Highways Secretary Roger Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado, Vice Governor Christopherson Yap, Mayor Melchor Petracorta, and Vice Mayor Ritchie Salomon, among others, for providing assistance to the poor and vulnerable amid the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported many initiatives to improve people’s access to economic opportunities. They include the rehabilitation of the road in Brgy. Lugsongan, concreting of the road in Brgy. Magallanes and construction of two new multi-purpose buildings in Limasawa.

Other major initiatives he supported are the improvement of other existing roads in Maasin City, Limasawa, Malitbog, Hinundayan, San Francisco, Libagon, Pintuyan, and other towns; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Libagon, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuya and Tomas Oppus; construction of a slaughterhouse in Maasin City; rehabilitation and improvement of the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital in Maasin City; rehabilitation of the rural health unit in Silago; and renovation of the municipal public market in Silago.

On September 10, his team delivered much-needed assistance to 102 residents at the Brgy. Triana Covered Court. All activities were carried out in small batches to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)