PASAY CITY -- As part of his pledge to ensure Filipinos, particularly the poor and the indigent, can get convenient access to quality health care services, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to help any Filipino in need of medical care.

On Wednesday, November 10, in his video message during the distribution activities in Almeria and Maripipi in Biliran, Go reached out to the residents with health concerns and encouraged them to visit Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval where there is a Malasakit Center that will assist them with their medical expenses.

“Ang Malasakit Center po’y handang tumulong po sa inyo para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Zero balance po ang target niyan. One-stop shop na po ‘yan lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” said Go in his video message.

Go’s outreach team conducted the distribution events at the respective municipal gymnasiums of Almeria and Maripipi and gave assistance to a total of 149 residents. Go’s team divided the recipients into smaller groups in the distribution.

The team gave relief items, such as snacks, masks and vitamins. They also gave selected residents new shoes and bicycles.

“Mga kababayan ko, nasa krisis po tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Marami po ang nawalan ng trabaho, marami po ang nagsara ng negosyo dahil po sa pagsara ng ekonomiya. Kaya naman nakikiusap po kami sa inyong kooperasyon upang malagpasan natin ang krisis na kinakaharap,” Go appealed.

Continuing his speech, Go commended several government agencies for extending their service to help various sectoral groups cope with challenges brought by the pandemic.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance grants to beneficiaries to encourage them to start business ventures that will help sustain their family needs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry determined potential recipients for its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gave scholarship grants to qualified individuals based on its evaluation.

Merlyn Macabus, 38, shared that when the pandemic caused her to lose her job, she managed to start up a small business to sustain her family. She then expressed her gratitude and said that the assistance she received from the government will greatly help her in her business venture.

“Para po kay Senator Bong Go at President Duterte, maraming salamat po. I am so blessed dahil isa po sa mga beneficiaries ng pangkabuhayan at salamat po dahil naisip niyo pong tulungan makaahon ang mga tao,” Macabus said.

“Maraming salamat din po sa Malasakit Center. Para po sa may mga sakit at sa mahihirap, meron na po kaming malalapitan at maasahan po,” she added.

The senator likewise encouraged eligible residents to get inoculated according to the vaccination program guidelines. As the government slowly opens the vaccination to the general public, Go assured that the government continues to get sufficient vaccines to ensure that more Filipinos get their protection against the virus.

Go then thanked the local officials of Almeria and Maripipi for serving their constituents during these difficult times. He then appealed to continue supporting their community as it recovers from the challenges caused by the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the rehabilitation of existing roads in Almeria and Naval; construction of a flood control structure in Naval; and construction of slope protection structure in Almeria.

He also supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Caibiran, Maripipi and Naval; acquisition of medical equipment for the Biliran Provincial Hospital; acquisition of a dump truck for the municipality of Biliran; and construction of Añog Flood Control in Cabugcayan.

On November 9, the team of Go also provided similar assistance to hundreds of residents in the towns of Biliran and Cabugcayan. (OSBG)