PASAY CITY --  Senator Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to promote more initiatives that would benefit the entrepreneurial sector as he emphasized the critical role that small businesses play in the economic recovery of the country.

In line with this, his team mounted relief efforts for micro-entrepreneurs in Banton and Corcuera, Romblon on Monday, November 29.

Go, in his video message, underscored the significance of small businesses in the financial stability of the country. He noted that they do not require huge capital yet they provide numerous opportunities for many struggling Filipinos.

"Malaking bahagi ng ekonomiya ang mga (micro, small at medium enterprises). Habang tumatagal ang COVID-19 situation sa bansa, kailangang suportahan ng gobyerno ang kanilang kapakanan para buhayin ang mga maliliit na negosyo at maiahon ang mga empleyado mula sa krisis na ito," said Go.

"Importante ang suporta na ito para mapagaan ang pinapasan nila. Kung gusto nating mabilis na manumbalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya, kailangan nating tulungan ang mga maliliit na negosyante na makabangon din," he continued.

During the activity, the senator’s outreach team distributed snacks and masks to a total of 100 small business owners at the Banton Port and Corcuera Poblacion covered court. They also gave computer tablets and new pairs of shoes to select recipients.

The activities were conducted in batches to ensure that health protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.

As part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of the national health crisis on vulnerable sectors, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed livelihood assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“Dapat suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating nais magsimula ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Dapat turuan at tulungan natin sila mabigyan ng kapital,” Go said.

“Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan at tuturuan po kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo, gamitin n’yo po sa tama, dalahin n’yo po sa inyong pamilya ang inyong kita,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gave livelihood support and scholarship grants to qualified individuals, respectively.

In addition, the senator offered to help those needing medical attention as he encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Center at Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own centers to assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses. The center is a one-stop-shop that streamlines the process of acquiring aid from the relevant government agencies such as the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go also encouraged the eligible micro-entrepreneurs to take part in the national vaccination program to ensure that they are protected against the virus and to help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity. Particularly, he urged them to participate in the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan: National COVID-19 Vaccination Days” from November 29 to December 1.

“Pakiusap po namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte magpabakuna na ho kayo. Libre naman po itong bakuna, para po ito sa bawat Pilipino. Mas protektado ho kayo ‘pag kayo po ay bakunado,” Go appealed

“Unahin po natin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo. Malalampasan rin po natin itong krisis na ito para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko,” he added.

Go then thanked all the local officials for their leadership and untiring service during these challenging times.

To further boost regional development and economic growth in Romblon, Go, who is also a Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the improvement and rehabilitation of the municipal park and plaza in Banton.

He also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ferrol, Romblon and Santa Maria; improvement of the municipal park in Banton; road improvements in Cajidiocan, Looc, Romblon, San Fernando and Sta. Fe; and acquisition of ambulance units in Sta. Maria. (OSBG)