No. of :

No. of Shares:

Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit

Sen. Go vows support for Antipolo City, gives aid to indigent residents to help them cope with the challenges of the pandemic

PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Antipolo City, Rizal on Tuesday, November 9, to meet with residents who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and to discuss with local officials the current state of the COVID-19 response in their city.

In a speech at the activity, Go offered his office's assistance to the affected sectors and assured the people of the province that the Duterte Administration would continue to stand with them as they begin to recover and rebuild from the ongoing crisis.

“Ayaw namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na pinapasalamatan kami dahil trabaho namin ito. Kami po'y mga probinsyano lamang na taga-Davao na binigyan ng Panginoon ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo. Kaya hindi namin sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ito. Ibabalik po namin ang serbisyo na para sa inyo,” vowed Go.

“Kung may natutunan man ako sa kanya (Duterte) ito ay ang unahin mo ang interes ng iyong kapwa at hinding-hindi ka magkakamali. Kaya isa din sa mga inspirasyon ko sa public service ay ang pamilyang Ynares dahil nakita ko kung paano silang nagseserbisyo,” he continued.

The senator and his staff distributed meals, food packs, vitamins and masks to a total of 728 residents in batches at the Ynares Center while observing the necessary health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

They gave selected recipients new pairs of shoes and bicycles for commuting to work and provided others with computer tablets which children can use while studying at home.

In addition, personnel from various government agencies were also in attendance as part of a whole-of-government effort to improve the well-being of Filipinos.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance while the Department of Labor and Employment compensated some residents for the services they rendered under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers program.

The Department of Agriculture set up a community pantry and the Department of Health also gave away medicines and additional vitamins. Further, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for its assistance programs.

The senator continued his message urging everyone to stay disciplined in fighting the pandemic. He called on all eligible residents to get vaccinated, hailing the recent gains in the vaccine front which have led to the current drop in COVID-19 cases.

The country, which recently exceeded its supply target of 100 million doses of vaccines, has now administered a total of 64.9 million doses as of November 8. More than 35.1 million individuals have received their first doses while 29.8 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated.

“Nakakatuwa at mataas na ang vaccination rate ninyo dito sa Antipolo City. Hindi na rin nalalayo na maging Alert Level 2 kayo at mabubuksan na ang lokal na ekonomiya. Pero kailangan bumaba muna ang bilang ng mga kaso gaya sa Maynila kung saan 88% na ang bakunado,” encouraged Go.

“Nasa datos na pagbakunado kayo mas maiiwasan niyo ang grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19. Kaya kung gusto niyong tulungan ang mga frontliners, magpabakuna na kayo at sumunod sa mga protocols dahil hindi natin alam baka hindi bakunado ang katabi niyo,” he cautioned.

Go offered further assistance to those needing medical care and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV (Mambugan), Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital or Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently apply for medical assistance from government agencies, specifically the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program began as a convergence initiative of the Office of the President in 2018 and has since expanded to 148 hospitals nationwide. Go served as the principal author and sponsor of the measure that became the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Maglilimang taon na po akong nagda-dialysis nitong February. Nagpapasalamat ako sa senador dahil tinutulungan niya kami at kailangan talaga namin ito sa panahon ngayon. Gaya nito, gagamitin ko ang pera na ‘to pangbayad sa gamot at mga treatment. Kung ano mang tulong ang ibibigay niya ay ibabalik namin ito sa kanya. Nakasiguro na ‘yon sa siya ang iboboto ko bilang bise presidente sa susunod na halalan,” said Ramon Fidel, 51.

To end, the senator thanked the various officials who extended their cooperation and assistance, namely Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Region Secretary Casimiro Ynares Jr., Governor Rebecca Ynares, Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr., Mayor Andrea Ynares, Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, former Governor and Mayor Casimiro Ynares III, and the members of the City Council.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported numerous initiatives to improve the delivery of public services and foster economic growth in Rizal. He supported the construction of the Justice Building in Barangay Inarawan and rehabilitation of the drainage system along Napoleon Street.

Other major initiatives include the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono and Rodriguez; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction of the Taytay Sports Complex; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo.

In line with his commitment as an adopted son of the CALABARZON region, the senator also personally provided aid to 197 health workers and 130 patients during a monitoring visit at the Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV and 76 fire victims at the new Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office building on the same day.

“Pagdating ng panahon, patuloy pa din akong magseserbisyo sa inyo. Kahit na kapitan nalang kami ni Pangulong Duterte, magserbisyo at tutuparin ko ang mga ipinangako ko,” said Go.

”Alam niyo, inikot ko na ang buong Pilipinas. Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo, pinutahan ko para makapagbigay ng tulong, makabigay ng solusyon sa mga problema at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa panahon ng pagdadalamhati ng mga Pilipino. Nakakawalang pagod sa totoo lang, nakakawalang pagod talaga.” (OSBG)

About the Author

Kate Shiene Austria

Information Officer III

Information Officer III under the Creative and Production Services Division of the Philippine Information Agency. 

Feedback / Comment

Get in touch