PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the public to follow the government’s protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a series of relief efforts for local indigent residents in Bacoor City and General Trias City, Cavite on Tuesday, November 23.

In a video message, Go called for more patience and forbearance as he noted that a minor lapse in compliance could potentially lead to more infections and patient deaths in a community.

“Sa mga Pilipino, nakikiusap kami, habaan niyo ang inyong pasensya at sumunod tayo sa mga quarantine protocols. Sana po’y walang magpa-espesyal. Isipin niyo na sa bawat isang positibo, pag kumalat ‘yan, marami ang madadamay. ‘Yun ang ayaw nating mangyari na kumalat itong sakit na ito at bumagsak na naman ang ating healthcare system,” he reminded.

“Inuulit ko, disiplina mula sa lahat ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno, magsuot ng mask at face shield, mag-social distancing at maghugas ng kamay. Kung hindi kailangan ay ‘wag umalis ng pamamahay,” added Go.

His team distributed meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 393 Caviteños at Brgy. Molino 3 covered court in Bacoor City and 55 Pasong Kawayan II in General Trias City. The activities were conducted in batches, in compliance with health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

The team provided select residents bicycles and new pairs of shoes to help them in their daily commutes. They also gave away computer tablets for children’s use under the blended learning set-up implemented by schools.

In addition, personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood assistance under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to residents in Bacoor City. They also distributed financial assistance to residents in General Trias City under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Dapat suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating nais magsimula ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Dapat turuan at tulungan natin sila mabigyan ng kapital,” Go said.

“Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan at tuturuan po kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo, gamitin n’yo po sa tama, dalahin n’yo po sa inyong pamilya ang inyong kita,” he added.

Go had recently issued an appeal urging the government to provide fully vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with cash incentives on top of what they already receive under the law to help increase the vaccine coverage among the lowest income groups.

“Ito ang pinaka-vulnerable sa populasyon natin… ang mga 4Ps households ang kinokonsiderang poorest of the poor. Sa paraang ito (cash incentives), maeengganyo natin silang magpabakuna, mabibigyan pa natin sila ng dagdag na tulong," he explained.

Go noted that many small businesses have suffered losses as a result of the pandemic. To assist them, he pledged to increase the number of Negosyo Centers established nationwide and expand the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso program to provide accessible micro-financing schemes to boost small businesses.

Continuing his message, Go expressed concern that the pandemic has disrupted many residents' access to vital health services. He advised those who cannot afford to settle their hospital bills to seek aid from the government through the Malasakit Centers at the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that aims to provide patients quick and convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Batas ito na aking isinulong at pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Mayroon na ngayong 149 Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas. Ang target nito ay zero balance para wala nang babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” explained Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Sabihan niyo ang mga kapitbahay niyo na mayroon kayong Malasakit Center na tutulong para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital. Walang pinipili ito; walang pulitika ito. Para ito sa lahat lalo na ang poor and indigent patients,” reassured Go.

The senator went on to express gratitude to the local officials for their service. He likewise urged them to keep protecting the well-being of their constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various initiatives to accelerate the infrastructure development of and improve the delivery of key services in Cavite. In General Trias City, he supported various road concreting projects and the construction and rehabilitation of various multipurpose buildings, covered courts, barangay halls and drainage systems.

In Bacoor City, Go supported the construction of a slope protection project and multi-purpose buildings, as well as the construction of a revetment along the Bacoor River.

He also supported the construction of the National Road System (Primary Roads - Manila - Cavite) in Cavite City and the provision of medical assistance to indigenous people in Kawit.

Other initiatives he supported include improvement of roads in the cities of Dasmariñas, Imus and Tagaytay; acquisition of ambulance units for the local governments of Indang and Trece Martires City; rehabilitation and improvement of the municipal fire station in Noveleta; and improvement of a sports facility in the Cavite State University in Indang.

“Huwag sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandirito ang iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para tulungan kayo na makabangon. Lapitan niyo lang ang aking opisina kung may iba pa kaming maitutulong at gagawin namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” pledged the senator.

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. (OSBG)