PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to respond to calls for assistance from communities adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, this time delivering much-needed relief to indigent families in Lucban, Quezon province from November 12 to 13.
In a video call, Go extended his regrets for not being able to join the activities personally but vowed to return to Lucban in order to give back to its people who hold a special place in both his and President Rodrigo Duterte's hearts.
“Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Papunta na ako diyan kaya lang dahil sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari, mayroon akong kailangan desisyunan ngayon. Nangangako ako na babalik ako sa Lucban at babawi sa inyo sa ibang panahon,” said Go.
“Alam niyo hindi ko nakakalimutan ang Lucban dahil paborito namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte 'yung Lucban longganisa. Iyon ang parati naming kinakain. Pasensyahan niyo na dahil masyadong mabigat ang nararamdaman ko sa ngayon,” he continued.
His outreach team distributed grocery packs, meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 2,083, consisting of senior citizens, persons with disabilities and indigent residents, at the Southern Luzon State University gymnasium.
Selected beneficiaries received new shoes and bicycles. Others received tablets to help their children with their blended learning activities.
As part of an ongoing effort to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each beneficiary with financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
The senator, who currently heads the Senate Committee on Health, continued his message appealing to all eligible residents to get vaccinated when offered the opportunity. He reassured that the Duterte Administration is exerting all efforts to secure safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and offered his assistance should the local government require additional supplies from the national government.
“Kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Wala na pong iba. Napatunayan naman sa mga datos na 'pag ikaw ay bakunado, mas maiiwasan ang pagkagrabeng sakit dulot ng COVID-19,” explained Go.
“Tuluy-tuloy na ang pagdating ng bakuna sa ating bansa. Kung kailangan niyo ng bakuna, magsabi lang kayo sa akin at tutulungan kayo ng (Inter-Agency Task Force). Importanteng tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagbabakuna hanggang maabot natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity,” he added.
In line with his commitment to healthcare, Go encouraged residents in need of medical care to seek his office’s assistance. He also advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City where they may avail of further aid from the government.
The center is a one-stop shop which provides poor and financially incapacitated patients convenient access to the medical assistance offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The Malasakit Centers program, which Go launched in 2018 during his stint as the Special Assistant to the President, has since assisted over three million patients nationwide.
“Batas ito na aking isinulong para kahit hindi na kami senador at presidente ni Pangulong Duterte ay tuloy pa rin ang programang ito. Mayroon na ngayong one hundred and thirty-eight Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas. Ang target nito ay zero balance para wala ng babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” said Go, who authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
In the end, the senator expressed gratitude to 1st District Representative Wilfredo Enverga, Governor Danilo Suarez, Vice Governor Samuel Nantes, Mayor Celso Dator and other local officials for their continuing efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and address the needs of their constituents.
