PASAY CITY -- Presidential aspirant and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reinforced his call for the people to prioritize their health as the fight against COVID-19 continues, and reaffirmed his commitment to providing Filipinos with convenient access to quality health care services.
On Friday, November 12, during relief actions in Lila, Dimiao, Valencia and Garcia Hernandez, Go delivered a video message in which he offered aid to people in need of medical attention and invited them to visit one of the province's two Malasakit Centers.
First established in 2018, the Malasakit Centers are tasked to assist Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, reduce their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible through the help of government agencies with existing medical assistance programs.
The Malasakit Centers in the province are located at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City and the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay.
Go likewise reminded the public to remain vigilant and compliant with health protocols to curb the spread of the virus as the government continues to acquire safe and sufficient vaccines for Filipinos. He then appealed to the local leaders to closely assist and inoculate the senior citizens in their respective areas as they are known to be more vulnerable to the virus.
“Mga kababayan ko, unti-unti na pong dumarating ang mga bakuna, pinaghirapan po natin itong mga bakunang ito. 'Pag nasa priority list na ho kayo - frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners, mga delivery boys, indigents, kung nasa priority list na ho kayo, magpabakuna na ho kayo para po protektado ho kayo,” said Go.
“Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno, mga kababayan ko,” he added.
Go’s team ensured an organized distribution at the Lila Municipal Gym, Brgy. Luyo covered court in Dimiao, Mayor Pablo O. Lim Memorial Astrodome in Valencia, and East Canayaon covered court in Garcia Hernandez as they strictly enforced safety and health protocols and split the 8,000 beneficiaries into smaller batches.
They then proceeded to distribute meals, masks and vitamins. The senator’s team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select residents, as well as computer tablets to help children in their classes under the blended learning set-up.
Meanwhile, various government agencies were also present to distribute other forms of assistance. A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided the residents with financial assistance to further help them sustain their basic necessities.
The Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, evaluated individuals for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.
To further boost the local economy and provide more opportunities in the province, Go, who serves as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the renovation of the public market in Lila; construction of a multipurpose building and a farm-to-market road in Dimiao; improvement of multi-purpose buildings in Valencia; and completion of an evacuation center and concreting of roads in Garcia Hernandez.
He likewise supported the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bien Unido; construction of a bridge connecting Talibon and Bien Unido; and installation of a coin-operated water system in Pitogo.
