PASAY CITY -- Even with the government gradually relaxing restrictions to make way for economic recovery, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to advocate for the welfare of low-income families to help them cope with struggles caused by the pandemic.

Following their two-day relief operation for thousands of residents in Governor Generoso from November 8 to 9, the senator’s team organized a relief effort for 353 vulnerable residents in Mati City, Davao Oriental at Mati Cultural Center on Wednesday, November 10.

The team ensured a safe and efficient distribution as they strictly enforced necessary health protocols to safeguard the beneficiaries while they received snacks, masks and vitamins.

Go gave selected residents new pairs of shoes and bicycles so that they can have better access to basic needs amid the pandemic. The senator also gave some residents computer tablets for their children’s educational needs.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance in a separate distribution.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment gave potential individuals livelihood support through their respective assistance programs. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority awarded scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries.

“Sa ngayon naman po, binabalanse po ng ating gobyerno ang buhay, kalusugan, at ekonomiya. Importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay ng bawat tao. Ang pera naman po’y kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay,” Go expressed in a video message.

To ensure that their health concerns are addressed, the senator advised the residents to avail of the services from the Malasakit Center in Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in the city.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which primarily aims to help poor and indigent patients cover their medical bills.

“Nasa loob ng ospital ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa inyo para maging ‘zero balance’ ang inyong billing. Tuloy-tuloy na itong programa dahil para sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi dapat pinahihirapan ang mga pasyente. Dapat tinulungan natin sila para hindi na sila pumipila sa iba’t ibang ahensya para makahingi ng tulong sa gobyerno,” explained Go.

He went on to urge eligible residents to get vaccinated and assured that the government is continuously getting sufficient vaccines to make certain that no one is left behind in the path of recovery.

“Mga kababayan, kaunting tiis lang. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo. Kailangan natin mag-ingat at hindi natin ma-afford na mapuno ang mga hospital muli at baka bumagsak ang ating health care system,” appealed Go.

“Binabalanse ng gobyerno ang lahat, ang ekonomiya, inyong kabuhayan at kalusugan. So, pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Duterte, maging disiplinado at ‘wag maging kumpiyansa. Magtulungan tayong lahat para malampasan natin ang krisis na ito,” he continued.

Ending his remarks, the senator thanked all of the local government officials for their hard work and further asked them to continue supporting their most vulnerable constituents, especially during these unprecedented times.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several initiatives that aim to boost the delivery of public service in the city. Among these projects are the rehabilitation of several roads, construction of Davao Oriental Sports Complex and the rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park.

He also supported the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Cateel and Lupon; installation of street lights in several barangays in Banaybanay; construction of a potable water system in Baganga and Lupon; and construction of a municipal slaughterhouse in San Isidro. (OSBG)