PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for greater support for struggling sectors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as his team conducted a series of relief efforts for residents in Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in Guimaras on November 19 and 20.

Go’s team distributed snacks and masks to 5,000 beneficiaries from various sectoral groups at Buenavista Commercial Complex, Jordan Municipal Grounds, San Lorenzo Municipal Covered Court, and the respective municipal gymnasiums of Nueva Valencia and Sibunag.

The team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select residents to help them in commuting. They also gave computer tablets to help children access educational materials.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

In his video message to the beneficiaries, the senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, appealed for the cooperation of the public and encouraged those eligible for vaccination to take part in the inoculation drive so they can protect themselves and others from the most harmful effects of the virus.

“Mga kababayan, tuloy-tuloy na po ang pagbabakuna ng mga senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners at mga indigent. Magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo at maiiwasan niyo ang mga grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19. Huwag makumpiyansa at may mas delikadong variant na tinatawag na Delta variant,” said Go.

The senator further offered medical aid to residents with health concerns and advised them to seek medical assistance from the the government through the Malasakit Center in the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital in Jordan.

Primarily authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463 or the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019” mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health and Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to help particularly poor and indigent patients nationwide with their medical expenses.

“Mga kababayan ko, kung mayroon po kayong mga pasyente, mayroon na ho tayong 149 na Malasakit Centers. Ang Malasakit Center po’y handang tumulong po sa inyo para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Zero balance po ang target niyan. One-stop shop na po ‘yan. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” Go explained.

Noemi Barrera, one of the beneficiaries, extended her gratitude toward the Malasakit Centers program as it has immensely helped one of her family members with their medical needs, saying, “Yung pinsan ko po ay inoperahan sa ospital sa Iloilo kung saan may Malasakit Center. Wala silang binayaran dahil sa Malasakit Center. Salamat kay Senator Bong Go sa tinulong niya sa aking pinsan.”

Ending his remarks, Go recognized and thanked the local officials of Buenavista and Jordan for their leadership and commitment to help their respective constituents overcome the challenges brought by the national health crisis.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go continues to support infrastructure development to improve the delivery of public service in and provide more economic opportunities in the province. In Buenavista, he supported the completion of seawall protection in Barangays Zaldivar, Magsaysay and Sto. Rosario. He likewise supported the acquisition of a dump truck for the local government of Jordan. (OSBG)