PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go promised to boost government support for the agriculture sector during an activity organized with the Department of Agriculture to improve the competitiveness of the rice farmers in Tulunan, North Cotabato amid the adverse impact of the pandemic.

“Mga kababayan, huwag kayong mag-alala dahil magtutulungan tayo ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte upang malampasan natin ang krisis na ito. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo, kami rin ng Pangulo ay nahihirapan na din. Subalit, kayo ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang magsumikap kami sa pagtatrabaho at pagseserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go assured in a video message.

As part of his agriculture agenda as presidential aspirant, Go pledged to pursue programs to boost the farmers’ production, capabilities and income. He also vowed to push for the Rural Agricultural and Fisheries Development Financing System that will provide access to capital for agricultural workers. He also vows to invest on agricultural facilities and storage to reduce food wastage.

To show his solidarity, the senator sent his staff to distribute snacks, vitamins and masks to a total of 1,471 rice farmers at the municipal gym and Barangay Sibsib covered court on November 24 and 25. They gave select recipients new pairs of shoes or bicycles for work-related activities and computer tablets for their children’s blended learning activities.

Meanwhile, representatives of DA provided aid under the RCEF’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Maraming salamat sa DA at sa mga empleyado nito dahil kahit may pandemya ay nakakaahon kami sa tulong nila. Nagpapasalamat din ako kay Senator Bong Go para sa mga tulong niya at aking bagong bisikleta,” said Samsudin Basilon, 29.

The senator also offered to help everyone with health concerns and instructed them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City so they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that provides a streamlined process to help patients cover their hospital and medical bills. It brings together under one roof the relevant agencies, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Sa mga pasyente, mayroon na tayong Malasakit Center diyan sa Kidapawan na handang tumulong sa inyo at hospital billing. Lapitan niyo lang ito dahil para ito sa mga kapatid natin na poor and indigent,” reassured Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator proceeded to thank DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista, DA-12 Field Operations Chief Zaldy Boloron and the local officials for extending the necessary support to the farmers.

He vowed to continue promoting other initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life of the people in North Cotabato. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go previously supported the construction of a bridge in Barangay Damawato, a multipurpose building in Barangay Batang, and potable water system facilities in Barangays New Caridad and New Panay in Tulunan.

He also supported the concreting of the farm-to-market and other local roads in Alamada, Banisilan Libungan, Midsayap, President Roxas and Kidapawan City; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala and Kidapawan City; and construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit.

Other major initiatives include the construction of multipurpose buildings in Arakan, Makilala and Kidapawan City; barangay halls in Matalam and Midsayap; a slaughterhouse and public market in Arakan; improvement of a public market building in Pigcawayan; and COVID-19 response and vaccination roll-out plan in Kidapawan City.

On November 12, the senator's staff conducted a similar relief operation for 29 monsoon-hit families in Aleosan. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure that health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly adhered to. (OSBG)