PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in helping communities adversely affected by the pandemic as he reassured thousands of residents present at the distribution activities in San Sebastian and Calbiga, Western Samar on Friday, November 19, that various government programs are available to help them recover from the national health crisis.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also urged the residents to participate in the national vaccination drive. In a video message, he mentioned that the government is steadily rolling out vaccine doses for the general population and encouraged those eligible not to waste the opportunity to get inoculated and be 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 (Rodrigo) 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 2,000 beneficiaries into smaller groups and strictly adhered to health protocols to ensure the public’s safety during the distribution at the Calbiga Municipal Auditorium and San Sebastian Municipal Covered Court.

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

Continuing his message, Go lauded several government agencies for also extending necessary support to the struggling communities. Particularly, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted financial assistance to the residents to sustain their daily needs. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

Go then reiterated his call to provide cash incentives for those fully vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to further boost vaccine confiden

“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 iengganyo 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 also offered to help those with medical needs. He encouraged them to seek medical assistance at Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City where there is a Malasakit Center available.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019”, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital.

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

“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 to improve public service in the province as the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported a road rehabilitation project in Calbiga and installation of street lights in San Sebastian. He likewise extended his support for several similar projects 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 and the construction of multi-purpose halls in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan. (OSBG)