PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, as the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, continues to push for a whole-of-nation approach in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic so the country can attain population protection leading to herd immunity as soon as possible.
In his video message in a relief operation organized at the respective municipal gymnasiums of Maasin and Mina, Iloilo on Wednesday, November 24, Go urged the national government to ensure that vaccines against COVID-19 are immediately delivered to local government units, especially those in far-flung areas.
The senator then appealed to the 4,000 residents in attendance to remain cooperative with the government’s efforts to end the pandemic. He encouraged them to participate in the national vaccination program, saying, “Ang importante makamtan muna natin ‘yung population protection at herd immunity po para naman po sumaya na po ang ating Pasko at makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay tulad noon.”
Go’s staff strictly followed safety and health protocols and split the beneficiaries into smaller groups to ensure a well-organized distribution as they handed out masks and snacks.
The team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select residents. They also gave away computer tablets for children’s use in blended learning activities.
Meanwhile, several government agencies also extended their support to further help the residents recover from the national health crisis.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave 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, meanwhile, determined individuals who are eligible to take part in their respective assistance programs.
The senator also reached out to the residents and their loved ones with health concerns as he advised them to seek medical assistance at the Malasakit Centers in Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, and West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center, both in Iloilo City.
A one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center puts under one roof the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide poor and indigent patients convenient access to the agencies’ medical assistance programs.
“Batas na po ‘yan, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte, para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” expressed Go.
As the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go also committed to support several projects in the province to boost its economic development, including the improvement of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Dumangas, Jaro, Lemery, Miagao and Sara; construction of a health station in Barangay Bucari in Leon; acquisition of trucks for Barotac Viejo and Zarraga; construction of the legislative building with complete facilities in the municipal hall of San Dionisio; and acquisition of ambulance units in Leon and Oton.
Ending his remarks, Go gave recognition to Representative Lorenz Defensor, Governor Arthur Defensor, Vice Governor Christine Garin and many other local officials for their unending public service during these trying times.
A day before, Go's team had also conducted similar distribution activities in the towns of Leon and Alimodian. (OSBG)
