PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to vulnerable sectors and communities in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday, November 9.

In his video message for the thousands of residents in Bunawan and Trento, Go appealed for continued vigilance and cooperation during these uncertain times and assured that the government is undertaking all necessary measures to support those who were adversely affected by the pandemic.

“Totoo pong mahirap ang buhay ngayon, pero ang pangunahing layunin muna natin ay ang maitigil ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa para mas mapabilis ang pagbalik natin muli sa normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Ang ating pagiging mga responsableng mamamayan na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa at nakikisama sa bayanihan ay ang susi sa ating mabilis na pag-ahon sa krisis. Magtulungan tayo para hindi bumagsak ang ating healthcare system habang binabalanse natin na pasiglahin muli ang ating ekonomiya,” he added.

Go also emphasized that he will remain focused on serving the Filipinos the best way he can to help them cope with the struggles caused by the national health crisis. He likewise urged his fellow public servants to work hand-in-hand and provide the necessary support to those in need to hasten the nation’s recovery.

“Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna ‘yung pulitika, tapos na ‘yung filing, let’s go back to work. Unahin po natin ‘yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan bago ang halalan. At bakuna muna bago pulitika,” Go said.

“Ang importante muna, focus tayo sa ating pagbabakuna. Focus tayo na malagpasan itong krisis na ito at focus tayo sa pagresolba nitong pandemya at ito pong economic crisis na ating kinakaharap,” he added.

Senator Go’s outreach team provided meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 2,148 residents at the Brgy. Poblacion Court and Bunawan National High School in Bunawan, and covered courts in Brgys. Pulang Lupa and Poblacion in Trento.

They likewise gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use. Go’s staff also gave away computer tablets for children’s use in their classes.

The team ensured a well-organized and safe distribution and grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches to safeguard them from the threat of COVID-19.

In a separate distribution, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, evaluated potential individuals for their respective assistance programs.

As part of his commitment to provide quality health care services to the poor, Senator Go, who serves as Chair of Senate Committee on Health, offered assistance to residents with medical concerns and encouraged them to visit Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad where they may conveniently avail of aid from the government.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act, aims to reduce one’s hospital bills to the lowest amount possible by covering various services and expenses.

The senator ended his message by thanking the local officials of Bunawan and Trento for working hand-in-hand and ensuring that their constituents are well-supported during crisis situations.

“Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo, kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap. Kailangan natin magtulungan,” Go concluded.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives in the province, including the rehabilitation of several roads and the construction of a slaughterhouse and public market in Bunawan; and the installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento.

He likewise supported the construction or improvement of existing roads in Bayugan, Prosperidad, La Paz, San Luis and Veruela; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bayugan, Prosperidad and San Luis; and construction of evacuation centers in Prosperidad and Talacogon.

Other major initiatives he supported are the development of a public park in Sibagat; acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Luis.

Go’s outreach team distributed similar relief to thousands more in the cities of Bayugan and Butuan, and the towns of Loreto, La Paz, Rosario, San Francisco, and Esperanza. OSBG)