PASAY CITY -- As Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reassured the public that the government is fast-tracking the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in poor communities.
During the distribution of assistance to his fellow Davaoeños in Barangay Pangyan, Calinan District in Davao City on Wednesday, November 10, Go reassured through his video message that there are sufficient supplies of vaccines and that the government continues to acquire more to ensure the protection of Filipinos, especially those in far-flung areas.
Go then asked the local government to closely assist the elderly and inoculate them in their own homes, if possible, as they are more prone to the threat of the virus.
“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga LGUs, sa ating national government, magtulungan po tayo. Kung kailangan po suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens para po protektado sila. Ang importante po sa ngayon, habang patuloy ang pagbabakuna, huwag maging kumpiyansa dahil delikado po itong COVID-19,” the senator said.
To further boost vaccine confidence in the city, he recently issued an appeal calling on the government to provide fully-vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with cash incentives on top of what they currently receive under the law.
Go’s team organized the relief effort at Brgy. Pangyan Gymnasium and grouped the 500 residents, composed of farmers, senior citizens and indigents, into smaller batches as they handed out snacks, masks and vitamins. In addition, Go provided new bicycles and computer tablets to some residents.
“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” said Go.
Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each beneficiary with financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture gave them supplies of plant seeds.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment provided necessary livelihood support to qualified recipients. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, gave scholarship grants to qualified individuals.
The senator then offered residents further aid and advised them to avail of the medical assistance programs of the government through the Malasakit Center located at Southern Philippines Medical Center in the city.
Go primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 that aims to assist poor and indigent Filipinos with their medical expenses by covering various patient services and fees.
To boost economic opportunities and further improve the delivery of public services in the city, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various projects, including the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Brgys. Ilang, Mintal, Panacan, San Antonio, Tigatto, Waan, Pampanga and Gov. Vicente Duterte; and the construction of drainage systems in Brgys. Mintal, Mudiang, Wilfredo Aquino, Ubalde, Buhangin Proper, Centro, Gov. Paciano Bangoy, Bunawan Proper and Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr.
