PASAY CITY -- In response to the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go mounted a massive relief operation for poor families in Santa Josefa and Veruela, Agusan del Sur on November 12, Friday.

In a video message, Go urged everyone to continue cooperating with the government's vaccination program and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts. He assured that the Duterte Administration is ready to extend all necessary support to help them improve their lives and overcome the challenges created by the pandemic.

“Mga kababayan ko, ako ang inyong Kuya Bong Go, ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo. Kung may maitutulong pa kami, bukas ang aming tanggapan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte at handa kaming tumulong sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” said Go.

“Patuloy po tayong magtulungan, magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa. Tutulungan natin ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap, na makaahon sa krisis at mabigyan ng maayos na kabuhayan,” he pledged.

His outreach team distributed meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 1,999 families at the Barangays Angas and Aurora covered courts in Sta. Josefa and the municipal gym and Brgy. Sampaguita covered court in Veruela. The activities were conducted in batches, in compliance with health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

The team gave selected residents bicycles for commuting to work, as well as computer tablets which children can use in their blended learning activities.

In addition, 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 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

Continuing his message, the senator urged the public to get vaccinated as soon as eligible to help bring an end to the pandemic. He said his recent appeal to the President to give cash incentives to fully-vaccinated Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program members will accelerate the vaccination drive further.

“Ito po ang pinaka-vulnerable sa populasyon. Ang mga 4Ps households ang kinokonsiderang poorest of the poor," explained Go.

"Ayon sa datos, 16% pa lang ng 4Ps households ang bakunado. Kung kaya’t kailangan pa talaga natin paigtingin ang vaccine rollout upang suyurin at ienganyo sila na 'wag matakot sa bakuna dahil ito ang tanging paraan upang malampasan ang krisis na ito," he added.

Go further warned the families against hesitating to get medical attention and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the relevant agencies which offer medical assistance programs, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka. Wala nang dahilan para hindi kayo matulungan, lalung-lalo na kung poor o indigent patient ka,” he continued.

“Kung hindi sapat ang tulong ng mga ahensya, may iniwang pondo ang Office of the President para maging ‘zero balance’ ang billing niyo at wala na kayong babayaran sa ospital. Ngayon, kung may pasyente na hindi kayang gamutin diyan, pwede natin kayong dalhin dito sa Maynila at ako na po ang sasagot sa gastusin niyo,” offered Go.

The senator proceeded to thank the local officials led by Sta. Josefa Mayor Symond Caguiat and Vice Mayor Richard Plaza and Veruela Mayor Myrna Mondejar and Vice Mayor Edgar Brigole for their partnership and efforts to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on their constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported such initiatives as the improvement of the National Road Junction Del Monte-Kidijay (Limot) – Witi-Candiis farm-to-market road in Veruela to contribute to the local economic development and facilitate the growth of businesses in Agusan del Sur.

Other major initiatives he supported include the construction and improvement of existing roads in Bayugan, Bunawan, Prosperidad and San Luis; concreting of local roads in Esperanza and La Paz; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bayugan, Prosperidad and San Luis; construction of evacuation centers in Loreto, Prosperidad and Talacogon; improvement of riverbank protection structures in Loreto and San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza.

He also supported the construction of a new public market and slaughterhouse in Bunawan; development of the Sibagat public park; acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Francisco and San Luis.

The previous day, November 11, his team conducted a similar activity for 290 indigent families in the nearby town of Sibagat. (OSBG)