PASAY CITY -- Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stressed that there is no need to make vaccination mandatory. Alternatively, Go asked the national government to look into granting cash incentives for the fully vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) instead.

In a video message during the distribution activities held in San Isidro, Burgos, and Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte on Wednesday, November 17, Senator Go also asked local leaders to help raise public awareness on and confidence in the vaccines to safeguard communities from COVID-19.

He reassured that the government continuously strives to acquire more vaccines to inoculate more Filipinos, especially those from far-flung areas.

“Hindi biro ang magkasakit sa panahong naghihirap pa rin ang ating ekonomiya. Mas lalong hindi biro kung kailangang tubuhan ka para makahinga habang mag-isa kang lumalaban na wala po ang iyong pamilya sa iyong tabi,” Go stressed.

Go's staff organized the relief efforts at San Isidro Elementary Gymnasium, Burgos Central Elementary School, and Arlan Gymnasium in Sta. Monica where they grouped the 1,269 fisherfolk into smaller batches while strictly adhering to safety and health protocols.

The outreach team then handed out snacks, masks and vitamins to the residents. They also gave bicycles and computer tablets to select beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to help the fisherfolks in their daily needs.

Furthermore, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority each conducted evaluations for qualified individuals to receive livelihood support and scholarship grants.

Jeniver Compara, a 41-year-old fisher with a disability, shared that it was hard for him to earn a living when the pandemic started. He then expressed his gratitude towards Senator Go for helping their community recover, saying, “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong at kay Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte sa mga tulong nila na natanggap namin. Maraming salamat.”

The senator then encouraged residents with health concerns to visit the nearby Malasakit Center at Siargao Island Medical Center in Siargao City where medical assistance programs of the government are easily accessible.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients may conveniently apply for government aid to cover their hospital and other medical-related expenses.

Go, who is also the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported several projects in the province to boost its economic recovery, including the construction of a flood mitigation structure along the Surigao River in Brgy. Trinidad in Surigao City, as well as the construction of a farm-to-market road in Claver, improvement of Baoy River flood control in Gigaquit, rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Pilar.

The senator then thanked the local officials for supporting their constituents especially in times of crisis.

“Gagawin po namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ito. Kailangan lang pong magtulungan tayo sa isa’t isa,” he ended. (OSBG)