PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the residents of Davao City to continue contributing to the fight against COVID-19 by supporting the national vaccination campaign during a relief effort in Barangays Cawayan, Sirib, Subasta and Tamayong on Tuesday, November 9.

Go’s call comes after a recent appeal to the government to offer cash incentives to encourage members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, who are considered among the poorest of the poor, to get their vaccine shots at the soonest possible time.

“Mga kababayan ko, ang bakuna ang pag-asa natin. Magtiwala kayo dahil ito ang susi o tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” Go said in a video message.

“Target natin ngayon makamtan ang population protection leading to herd immunity. Sana by December para sumaya naman ang ating Pasko. Sa mga nasa priority list, pakiusap 'wag kayong maging kumpiyansa at magpabakuna na kayo sa pinakamalapit niyong vaccination site," he appealed.

The senator's team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,943 residents composed of farmers, senior citizens and other vulnerable residents at their respective barangay covered courts. They gave selected residents bicycles for commuting to work and computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, conducted assessments for their livelihood assistance and skills training programs, respectively.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go further reminded the public not to forego medical care because of the pandemic. He offered medical assistance to the sick, elderly and other vulnerable groups and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in the said city.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients, particularly the poor and indigent, may conveniently apply for medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 and has since benefited over three million Filipinos nationwide.

“Ngayon na may COVID-19, mas lalong kailangan ang Malasakit Center para tumulong sa mga kababayan natin. Hindi na nila kailangan lumabas pa ng ospital at pumila sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno hanggang madaling araw at d’un pa nagkakahawa-hawaan. Sa Malasakit Center, isang opisina nalang na nasa ospital mismo ang pupuntahan nila,” explained Go.

“Walang pulitika dito. Basta Pilipino ka, lalo na kung poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka sa Malasakit Center,” he reassured.

The senator proceeded to thank various local officials for their continuing efforts to assist families affected by the pandemic. Among those he recognized were 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab, Mayor Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Cawayan Punong Barangay Frederic Villarino, Sirib Punong Barangay Mercelina Antogop, Subasta Punong Barangay Vincent Enoc, and Tamayong Punong Barangay Benjie Gantalao.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure initiatives in Davao City, including the construction or rehabilitation of various multi-purpose buildings and local roads in different barangays around the city as well as the Philippine Red Cross Regional Office at the SPMC, Paquibato District Hall, and Hope Day Care Center.

He also supported the construction of water systems in Barangays Acacia, Fatima, Mabuhay and San Isidro; construction or widening of a drainage canal in Barangays Bunawan Proper and Mintal; construction and rehabilitation of a drainage system in Tupaz Outfall and Barangays Centro, Mudiang and Ubaldel; construction of a flood control structure in Brgy. 9-A and for the Datu Loho Creek; and construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building and purchase of ambulances for the SPMC.

On Friday, November 5, his team similarly assisted 1,500 farmers, senior citizens and other vulnerable residents in Barangays New Carmen, New Valencia and Talandang. All activities were carried out in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)