PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, November 10, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent assistance to hundreds of beneficiaries in Tabuk City, Kalinga as part of his commitment to support more vulnerable sectors amid the national health crisis.

“Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said in his video message.

“Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, lalo na ‘yung mga walang matakbuhan, ipaglalaban namin 'yan hanggang sa huli,” he added.

Go’s staff distributed meals, masks and vitamins to 334 beneficiaries at the Women’s Center in Tabuk City. The team conducted the activity in small batches to comply with necessary health protocols to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

As an advocate of quality education, Go gave some residents computer tablets to aid their children as they pursue their education under the blended learning setup. The senator also gave away bicycles and new pairs of shoes to others.

In a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided necessary livelihood assistance grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Continuing his message, Go, who is also the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged the public to continue following health preventive measures even if COVID-19 cases are slowly declining.

He then encouraged the beneficiaries to avail of vaccines against the coronavirus to hasten the country’s return to normalcy. He also reaffirmed that the government continuously rolls out vaccines to more far-flung areas to ensure that no one is left behind towards recovery.

Go also reached out to those with health concerns and other medical conditions to seek assistance from the government through any of the 148 Malasakit Centers across the country.

First established in Cebu City in 2018, the Malasakit Center brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to help particularly poor and indigent patients by covering their hospital and medical-related expenses.

“Kung mayroon ho kayong mga pasyente sa (Philippine) Heart Center, sa NKTI, sa Maynila, magsabi lang po kayo. Nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go offered.

As the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go aims to boost the economic development of the province amid pandemic. He extended his support for several projects, including road improvements in Balbalan and Pinukpuk; construction of farm-to-market roads in Balbalan, Tinglayan and Tanudan; acquisition of an ambulance unit for Rizal; and installation of streetlights in Tinglayan and Rizal.

The senator commended local government officials headed by Representative Sonny Mangaoang, Governor Ferdinand Tubban, Mayor Darwin Estrañero, and Vice Mayor Bernard Glenn Dao-as for their service and support to their constituents.

“Makikita mo po ang Pilipino po ‘pag nagtutulungan kakayanin po nating malampasan itong krisis na ating kinakaharap. Hindi po namin kaya ni Pangulong Duterte ito. Kailangang namin ang tulong ng bawat Pilipino,” Go ended. (OSBG)