PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his appeal to the government to offer incentives to increase the vaccination rate during an activity for the indigent families in Cavite City and Kawit, Cavite on Monday, November 15.

Go discussed in a video message his recent proposal to President Rodrigo Duterte to give fully-vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program cash incentives on top of what they already receive under the law.

"Sa pamamagitan ng incentives, hindi lang natin sila mas maeenganyo na magpabakuna, mabibigyan din natin sila ng dagdag na tulong. Bagama’t wala itong pilitan, dapat wala tayong tigil sa pahihikayat sa kanila dahil ang bakuna ang tanging susi o solusyon patungo sa pagbalik sa normal na pamumuhay," explained Go.

“Tandaan natin na kung mas maraming nababakunahan at patuloy na bababa ang kaso ng nagkakasakit, mas luluwag ang mga patakaran at mas magbubukas ang ekonomiya. Sana ay tuloy-tuloy na mawawala ang COVID-19, kasama ang hirap at gutom na dulot nito,” he continued.

His staff provided meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 2,000 indigent families in batches at the Porta Vaga covered court in Cavite City and Barangay Tabon II covered court in Kawit, in compliance with health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Selected residents received new shoes while some received bicycles for their commuting needs. Others received computer tablets to help their children participate in their educational activities under the blended learning set-up.

To cover other critical needs, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also separately provided each beneficiary household with financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Ako po’y nahirapan ‘nung hindi ako makalabas ng bahay pero nakapagtanod na ako muli. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte at Senator Bong Go nagkaroon ako ng kaunting pera ngayon at bagong bike. Nararamdaman ko talaga ang presensya ng gobyerno dito,” said Danilo Mendoza.

Continuing his message, Go expressed concern that the pandemic had disrupted many residents' access to vital health services, and offered to assist those in need of medical assistance. He further advised those who cannot afford to settle their hospital bills to seek aid from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City or General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which aims to provide patients quick and convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Batas ito na aking isinulong at pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Mayroon na ngayong one hundred and forty-nine Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas. Ang target nito ay zero balance para wala ng babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” explained Go, who mainly authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator went on to recognize in his message the local officials who worked together to deliver vital assistance to the families. Among these were 1st District Representative Francis Abaya, Governor Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., Vice Governor Ramon Revilla III, Cavite City Mayor Bernardo Paredes and Vice Mayor Denver Chua, and Kawit Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo and Vice Mayor Armando Bernal.

He vowed to continue extending additional support, having recently distributed aid to 500 farmers who were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption at the Cavite State University-Silang Campus last November 9.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various initiatives to accelerate the infrastructure development and improve the delivery of key services in Cavite. He supported the construction of the National Road System (Primary Roads - Manila - Cavite) in Cavite City and provision of medical assistance to indigenous residents in Kawit.

Other initiatives he supported include various road improvements in the cities of Bacoor, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus and Tagaytay; rehabilitation of covered courts in various barangays in General Trias City; acquisition of ambulance units for the local government of Indang, Bacoor City and Trece Martires City; rehabilitation and improvement of the municipal fire station in Noveleta; and improvement of a sports facility in Cavite State University in Indang.

“Huwag sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandirito ang iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para tulungan kayo na makabangon. Lapitan niyo lang ang aking opisina kung may iba pa kaming maitutulong at gagawin namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” pledged the senator.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. (OSBG)