PASAY CITY -- Recognizing the adverse impacts of the pandemic especially on the vulnerable sectors, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is relentless in bringing aid to underprivileged Filipinos. His team mounted yet another relief operation for thousands of indigents and displaced workers in Antipolo City, Rizal on Monday, November 29.

Go’s staff grouped 1,436 beneficiaries into smaller batches at the Ynares Center and provided them meals, masks and vitamins. The team also gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets to select recipients.

Meanwhile, to help the displaced workers start anew, the Department of Labor and Employment provided them support through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance while the Department of Trade and Industry assessed those eligible for its livelihood program.

In a video message, Go underscored the significance of all eligible Filipinos getting vaccinated for the country’s economic recovery. Thus, he urged them to take part in the national inoculation drive. He also reassured that the government continues to secure a sufficient supply of vaccines for everyone, following the expansion of the vaccination rollout.

“Importante po ang target natin, makamit natin ang herd immunity ngayong taong ito. Iyan po ang kailangan para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay at sumigla muli ang ating ekonomiya,” said Go.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go extended additional help to beneficiaries with medical concerns and encouraged them to seek aid from any of the Malasakit Centers in the province, including those at Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital in Cainta, and Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was initiated by Go to ensure better and efficient access to healthcare services. Since the first Malasakit Center was launched in 2018, there are now 149 centers that have served over three million poor and indigent Filipinos nationwide.

Dolores Quides, a COVID-19 survivor, shared how the Malasakit Centers program helped her, especially as she struggles to support her family’s daily needs.

“Dinala po ng anak ko ang problema sa Malasakit Center at lumabas po ako ng hospital na wala pong ginastos. Lubos po ang pasasalamat ko kay Senator Bong Go sa pagtatatag ng isang Malasakit Center at alam ko pong makakatulong po siya ulit sa anak kong ooperahan. Ramdam ko po na kayo ay maka-masa,” Quides said.

In the end, Go expressed his gratitude to the local government officials who work hard to ensure the recovery of their community.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various infrastructure projects in the city, such as the construction of the Justice Building in the Antipolo City Government Center and the rehabilitation of drainage systems in Barangays Mayamot and Mambugan.

He also supported the rehabilitation of the road, drainage system, and slope protection structure in Barangays Macabud and San Isidro; and rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Barangay Balite in Rodriguez.

Other projects he supported for the economic development of the province are the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono; construction or improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo; and construction of the Taytay Sports Complex.

“Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno. Kami po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, ginagawa po namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap sa ngayon,” assured Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON region. (OSBG)