PASAY CITY -- Following recent reports of a potential increased risk of reinfection with the Omicron COVID-19 variant compared to other variants of concern, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the public to heighten their vigilance and reiterated the need for all eligible Filipinos to get their COVID-19 shots as soon as possible.

In a video message during the relief operations conducted by his team for the vulnerable residents of Davao City on Tuesday, November 30, the lawmaker underscored the importance of staying ahead of the Omicron variant. The variant was first detected in South Africa on November 24 and has since spread globally.

To date, no case of the Omicron strain has been reported in the Philippines. Nevertheless, Go reminded the public that getting inoculated may save them from the more severe cases of COVID-19. He also reiterated his call for the government to provide cash incentives for the fully vaccinated members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to increase vaccine confidence among the poorest of the poor.

"Sa ating hangarin na malampasan ang pandemya, sinisiguro ng gobyerno na walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit napaka-importante na magpabakuna para maproteksyunan ang buong populasyon," explained Go.

"Bagamat marami na ang nababakunahan sa mga critical areas tulad ng Metro Manila, 'wag natin pabayaan ang mga kababayan natin sa malalayong lugar, ‘yung mga mahihirap, walang matakbuhan at umaasa sa tulong at suporta mula sa gobyerno," he continued.

At the respective covered courts of Barangays Camansi, Daliaon Plantation, Tagluno and Tungkalan, his team divided the 2,000 residents into small batches and provided them meals and masks. They also gave select recipients new bicycles, pairs of shoes and computer tablets.

To mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance under its program for individuals in crisis situations. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, meanwhile, conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

The senator further encouraged everyone to address their health concerns as early as possible. He assured them that they may always seek assistance from his office and from the Malasakit Center located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop-shop for the medical assistance programs by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The first center was launched in 2018 and the program has since assisted over three million poor and indigent patients nationwide.

“Kung may nararamdaman kayong sakit o ano man, ‘wag niyo na patagalin pa. Kadalasan ayaw ng mga Pilipino magpa-check-up dahil baka malaki ang gagastusin nila sa ospital. Alam ko kung gaano ka hirap maging mahirap pero hindi niyo na kailangang magmakaawa para makahingi ng tulong sa gobyerno,” reassured Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act.

“At kung may pasyente na hindi kayang operahan diyan ay tutulungan namin kayo makapunta sa Maynila. Kami na ni Pangulo Rodrigo Duterte ang sasalo sa pampaospital pati pamasahe ninyo hanggang makauwi kayo,” he added.

In the end, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, Mayor Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Camansi Punong Barangay Allan Padin, Daliaon Plantation Punong Barangay Generoso Bacalso, Tagluno Punong Barangay Renato Hernando, and Tungkalan Punong Barangay Hipolito Castañares, among others, for helping their constituents overcome the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life in Davao City. These include the rehabilitation of various multipurpose buildings and local roads in different barangays around the city. Improvements were also made at the Philippine Red Cross Regional Office in SPMC, Paquibato District Hall, Hope Day Care Center, and many more.

Go’s support also extended to the construction of water systems in Barangays Acacia, Fatima, Mabuhay and San Isidro; construction or widening of drainage canals in Barangays Bunawan Proper and Mintal; construction or rehabilitation of drainage systems in Tupaz Outfall and Barangays Centro, Mudiang and Ubalde; construction of flood control structures in Barangay 9-A and Datu Loho Creek; and acquisition of ambulance units for Barangays Mintal, Buhangin and Gatungan.

Furthermore, the senator also helped SPMC in its construction of a 300-bed capacity Infectious Diseases Building and acquisition of an ambulance unit.

On November 24, a similar operation was conducted by Go's team for the fire victims of Barangays 8A and 9A. All distributions were carried out in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)