PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go assured the government would continue to provide poor and rural households the support they need to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic during a two-day relief operation conducted in Mabini, Pangasinan from November 9 to 10.

In a video message at one activity, the lawmaker urged all local government units to reach out to and work closely with the national government to ensure that their constituents have the support they need and are not left behind in the road to recovery.

“Huwag kayong mag-alinlangan na lumapit sa amin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte dahil trabaho namin ang magserbisyo sa inyo. Nagpapasalamat kami sa inyong lahat dahil binigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon na magserbisyo sa ating bayan,” he said.

“Sa mga kababayan naming mahihirap, nandito kami para sa inyong lahat. Hindi kami mangangako na kaya namin gawin ang lahat, pero makakaasa kayo ng gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para magserbisyo sa inyo,” reassured Go.

His staff distributed meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 3,000 beneficiaries, composed of indigent families, ambulant vendors and members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, at the municipal gymnasium.

They gave away new pairs of shoes and bicycles for commuting, as well as computer tablets to help students who are studying under the blended learning set-up.

Moreover, in a separate distribution, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

In line with his commitment to provide accessible and affordable health care, the senator also offered further assistance to those with medical or health problems. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance programs offered by the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the offices of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof. There are now 148 such centers across the country since the program was first launched by Go in 2018.

“Mga kababayan, mayroon tayong Malasakit Center sa Pangasinan. Sabihan niyo ang mga kapitbahay niyo na mayro’n kayong Malasakit Center na tutulong para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapa-ospital. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” explained Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator concluded his message thanking 1st District Representative Arnold Celeste, Governor Amado Espino III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Mayor Ariel de Guzman, Vice Mayor Darius Bonalos and other local officials for continuing to extend assistance and support to their constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives to enhance the long-term recovery of the province and its residents. They include the construction of farm-to-market roads in Aguilar, Calasiao and San Fabian; construction of public parks in Dasol and Lingayen; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Burgos, Natividad, Pozorrubio and Urbiztondo; construction of a multi-purpose center in Binmaley; installation of solar-powered street lights in Binmaley, San Jacinto and Villasis; and construction of a flood control structure and maternal lying clinic and rehabilitation of all public markets in Dagupan City.

Other initiatives he supported are the acquisition of medical equipment for the Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos and Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug; acquisition of ambulance units for the local governments of Anda, Lingayen and Mangaldan; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Mangaldan and Villasis.

From October 5 to 9, his team also distributed relief to 9,783 indigent residents, overseas Filipino workers, market vendors, TODA members and other displaced workers in Dagupan City and Umingan. All activities were carried out in batches, in compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Go became an adopted son of the province of Pangasinan through a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and approved by Governor Amado Espino III on December 18, 2018. The resolution said the province recognizes the exceptional capability of Go in public administration to inspire every local leader in the implementation of their programs and projects.

“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy akong tutulong sa Pangasinan,” he also said earlier. (OSBG)