PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued his efforts to help more Filipinos whose livelihoods have been affected due to the national health crisis. His team, in partnership with concerned agencies, conducted distribution activities for hundreds of residents in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte from November 9 to 10.
With necessary safety and health protocols in place, Go’s outreach team provided meals, masks and vitamins to 515 food delivery riders. They also gave computer tablets to some residents to help their children with their studies, as well as new pairs of shoes and bicycles.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Agriculture gave financial assistance and plant seeds, respectively, to the residents.
The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, conducted an on-site assessment for potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go urged the public to support and trust the national vaccination program and encouraged eligible residents to get inoculated immediately to protect them from COVID-19.
“Kapag nandiriyan na po kayo sa priority list, magpabakuna na po kaagad kayo. Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19," he emphasized.
Go then offered additional assistance to those in need of medical attention. He informed them that they may conveniently seek medical assistance at Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, or Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan, where there are Malasakit Centers available to assist them with their hospital and other medical related expenses.
As part of his commitment to improve the country’s health care services, Go primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 that mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health, plus Philippine General Hospital, to establish Malasakit Centers to help particularly poor and indigent patients reduce their medical expenses to lowest amount possible.
“Mayroon na ho tayong 148 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa mga poor and indigent patients, zero balance po ang target po ng Malasakit Center,” said Go.
As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go helped facilitate the development of the province by supporting various projects, including the provision of new medical equipment for Gregorio T. Lluch Hospital and the and construction of a multi-purpose building in Iligan City.
