PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office distributed aid to scholars in Siniloan town in Laguna on Thursday, November 25. Go’s staff provided meals and masks to a total of 300 students at the Siniloan Town Plaza, with health and safety protocols strictly observed.

“Pakiusap ko lang po sa mga kabataan para sumaya ang inyong mga magulang, mag-aral ho kayo nang mabuti at kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito,” Go urged in a video message.

Go also gave select scholars computer tablets, shoes and bicycles to help them in their studies and transportation amid the pandemic.

Earlier, Go vowed to put much attention on the pursuit for a speedy and inclusive economic recovery for the country, promising to strive tirelessly to restore the economy's robustness.

“To do so, we must first help the ten million Filipinos who are the poorest of the poor and provide them with the financial assistance they require, including easy-to-access, low-interest loans as well as job opportunities. At the same time, we must strive for at least one college graduate in every family,” he noted.

Meanwhile, as part of an ongoing government effort to alleviate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable sectors, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance to the students.

In his video message, Go, as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his concern for Filipinos who are still reluctant to get inoculated. He appealed to the public to trust and support the national vaccination drive.

“Kapag nandiriyan na po kayo sa priority list, magpabakuna na po kaagad kayo. Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna; huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19," Go emphasized.

Meanwhile, the senator offered additional assistance to those in need of medical attention. He advised them to seek medical care at San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City or Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist them with their hospital and other medical-related expenses.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to provide particularly poor and indigent patients with convenient access to medical assistance programs of the government.

“Mayroon na ho tayong 149 na Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa mga poor and indigent patients. Zero balance po ang target po ng Malasakit Center,” said Go.

Ending his remarks, Go commended the local officials for supporting their constituents during these challenging times, saying, “Salamat po sa inyong tulong sa panahong ito. Huwag niyo pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap po.”

To improve access and create more economic opportunities in the locality, Go, who also serves as the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the construction of a multi-purpose building and the procurement of medical equipment for Siniloan Infirmary Hospital.

For the province, Go also supported the construction of a farm-to-market road along Sitio Sta. Ana in Barangay Ermita; construction of a multi-purpose covered court in Barangay Ibaba del Norte in Paete; construction of a drainage canal in Barangay Banaybanay in Cabuyao City; acquisition of an ambulance unit for Barangay Macabling; and repair of the primary road inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City.

He likewise supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Maria; acquisition of ambulance units in Calamba City, Liliw, Magdalena and Nagcarlan; acquisition of a multi-purpose vehicle in Magdalena; installation of street lights in Lumban and Magdalena; construction of slaughterhouses in Mabitac, Nagcarlan and Pagsanjan; and construction of public markets in Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan and Rizal.

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)