PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the public to trust the process behind the COVID-19 vaccines, as he warned that many in low-income communities remain unvaccinated which may indicate they are among the most reluctant to get their vaccine shots.
In a video message played during a relief effort in Ma-ayon and Panit-an, Capiz, Go called on the government to give the members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program cash incentives to help improve the vaccination rate among the poorest of the poor.
“Hindi puwedeng may maiwan sa ating muling pagbangon, lalo na ‘yung pinaka mahihirap at pinaka-nangangailangan. Hindi katanggap-tanggap na 16 percent lang ang bakunado sa mga miyembro ng 4Ps. Bagama’t ‘di natin sila mapilit, ‘wag tayong tumigil sa pag-enganyo sa kanila,” said Go.
“Sa dagdag ayuda na ito, matutulungan po natin sila sa kabuhayan, makakapagligtas pa tayo ng buhay at mapapabilis ang pagbalik natin sa normal na pamumuhay,” he explained.
His staff distributed meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 4,500 residents from various vulnerable sectors at the Panit-an Cultural Center and Maayon covered court on Tuesday, November 16, while observing required health and safety protocols.
They gave selected residents new shoes and bicycles for commuting, as well as computer tablets to help children with their blended learning needs.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance under its program for individuals in crisis situations. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also evaluated potential beneficiaries for their assistance programs.
In his message, the senator offered further aid to those with medical concerns. He advised residents that they may avail of government assistance for their medical needs through the Malasakit Center at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City or at any of the other 148 such centers nationwide.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, seeks to make government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the relevant agencies under one roof. The agencies include the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Nagpapalasamat ako sa Malasakit Center dahil nung naoperahan ‘yung anak ko, wala kaming pera nun. Sa hirap ng panahon ngayon, kulang ang pera namin kahit sa pagkain. In-assist ako ng staff ng center at nag-zero balance talaga, sir! Wala kaming binayaran sa ospital. Kaya maraming salamat kay Senator Bong Go kasi ang laki ng naitutulong niya sa pamamagitan ng programang ito,” said Mae Franciso, 44, a hog farmer.
