PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in helping pandemic-affected communities as he reassured that government programs are available to help them quickly recover from the adverse impact of the national health crisis.

As Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go urged thousands of residents who were present during the distribution activities in San Jose de Bauan, Matuguinao, Gandara, and Sta. Margarita, Western Samar on November 13 and 15 to participate in the national vaccination drive.

In a video message, Go mentioned that the government is steadily rolling out doses to the general population and encouraged those eligible not to waste the opportunity to get inoculated and protected from the threats of COVID-19.

“Mga kababayan ko, alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Humihingi lang kami ng tulong sa inyo ni Pangulong Duterte, kailangan namin ang inyong kooperasyon at disiplina,” said Go.

“Kapag pasok na ho kayo sa priority list ng pagpapabakuna ay magpabakuna na ho kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Importante po protektado kayo,” he added.

The senator’s outreach team divided the 4,000 beneficiaries into smaller groups and strictly implemented necessary health protocols to ensure public’s safety during the distribution at respective municipal covered courts of San Jose de Bauan, Matuguinao and Sta. Margarita, and at the Gandara Cultural Center.

They then gave the residents snacks, masks and vitamins. The team also gave some residents new pairs of shoes and computer tablets for children studying under the blended learning setup. They also gave away bicycles to selected residents.

Continuing his message, Go lauded several government agencies for extending necessary support to struggling communities.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development granted the beneficiaries financial assistance to further help them sustain their daily necessities while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

As a construction worker, Nueva Eliakim, 28, said the pandemic challenged him to look for other jobs that would help him sustain his small family. He then thanked the senator for the assistance he provided, saying, "nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Go dahil lahat ng para sa mga beneficiaries ay binibigay nila at tumutulong sila sa mahihirap."

Go then continued his call to provide cash incentives for those vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to further boost vaccination awareness in their respective communities instead of making it mandatory.

“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.

As Go remains focused on providing Filipinos convenient access to health services nationwide, he offered to help those with medical needs. He encouraged them to seek medical attention at Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist with their hospital bills.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital.

Likewise, hospitals operated by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee their sustainability for the operation of their centers, including their maintenance, personnel and staff training, among others.

“Kaunting tiis lang po, magtulungan lang tayo. Malalampasan din natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Ingat po kayo,” said Go.

“Maraming salamat po sa kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino. Iyan lang po ang pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Duterte. Tulungan n’yo po kami, magtulungan lang po tayo,” he added.

As part of his commitment as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance to improve public service in the province, Go supported the road rehabilitation in Matuguinao, Basey, Calbiga, Daram, Jiabong, Marabut, Motiong, Paranas and Pinabacdao; construction of an evacuation center in Sta. Margarita and Zumarraga; acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles in Basey and Motiong; and acquisition of a dump truck for Jiabong.

He also supported the construction and rehabilitation of public markets in Talalora and Tarangnan; installation of street lights in San Sebastian; and construction of multi-purpose halls in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan. (OSBG)