PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his appeal to the government to offer cash incentives for those considered poorest of the poor to increase the vaccination rate during an activity for golf course workers in Lipa City, Batangas on Thursday, November 18.

Go shared 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 maeengganyo na magpabakuna, mabibigyan din natin sila ng dagdag na tulong. Bagama’t wala itong pilitan, dapat wala tayong tigil sa paghihikayat 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 mawala ang COVID-19, kasama ang hirap at gutom na dulot nito,” he continued.

His staff provided meals and masks to a total of 157 beneficiaries in batches at the Philippine Air Force Fernando Airbase Golf Course, in compliance with health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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

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

Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers in the province of Batangas through which people can avail of the medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

These Malasakit Centers are located at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City. To date, there are 149 Malasakit Centers that have assisted over three million Filipinos nationwide.

As the government continues to roll out vaccines to protect more Filipinos against COVID-19, Go reminded everyone to stay vigilant, get vaccinated once eligible, and comply with health preventive measures against COVID-19 to avoid the further spread of the virus.

“Social distancing tayo, hugas ng kamay, at kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng inyong pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon. Habang nandidiyan ang COVID-19, delikado po lumabas. Ingat po muna tayo parati, mga kababayan ko,” expressed Go.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the province such as the construction of multi-purpose buildings and rehabilitation of roads in Agoncillo, Balayan, Batangas City, Bauan, Calaca, Ibaan, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, Taal and Tuy; construction of a potable water system in Balete; improvement of a public market in Cuenca; acquisition of an ambulance unit in Ibaan; rehabilitation of the Lobo River flood mitigation structure in Batangas City, Lobo and San Juan; and improvement of public parks and plazas in San Nicolas.

“Wala na kaming mahihiling pa dahil binigay na ng Panginoon ang lahat, lalo na ang oportunidad na makapaglingkod sa inyo. Kami ni Pangulo ay mga probinsyano lamang, isa akong Batangueño na Bisaya… Isa akong ordinaryong empleyado na ginawa ninyong senador, kaya ibabalik ko sa tao ‘yung serbisyo na para sa inyo,” he promised.

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. They cited his many years of public service under President Duterte and “heart for his country” through the various projects he initiated that have benefited millions of Filipinos.

“Batangueño rin po ako... kahit na lumaki kami sa Davao, ang lolo’t lola ko ay dito lang sa Sto. Tomas at tsaka sa Tanauan kaya magkapitbahay lang po tayo. Lapitan niyo lang ako dahil patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa kapwa kong Pilipino. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan, mga kapwa kong Batangueño,” he vowed. (OSBG