PASAY CITY -- As the country gradually reopens its economy following the easing of restrictions, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains dedicated to help in the recovery of various sectors as he extended assistance to 337 disadvantaged individuals, including fire victims, LGBT members and solo parents, on Thursday, December 2.
“Mga kababayan ko, alam ko na mahirap ang panahon ngayon, mahirap ang pamumuhay, marami ang nawalan ng trabaho, magtulungan lang tayo,” Go expressed in his video message.
“Sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa pag-ahon natin mula sa krisis na ito,” he emphasized.
Go, being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, took the opportunity to encourage everyone to get their complete doses of vaccines against COVID-19 in order to protect themselves and their families from the threat of the virus. He also emphasized that getting vaccinated will help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity.
“Kaya mga kababayan, kung gusto n’yo na pong bumalik sa normal na pamumuhay, pakiusap ko lang po na magpabakuna na kayo at kumpletuhin ninyo ang doses ninyo. Dalawang turok lang po ito, kumpara sa mas masakit na swab test,” Go urged.
“Ngunit habang unti-unti nating niluluwagan ang health protocols, iginigiit ko po na nananatiling prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan. Kaya, kagaya ng sinasabi ko po lagi, sumunod at makipagtulungan po tayo sa mga awtoridad,” he added.
The senator’s outreach team handed out food and masks to the residents who were grouped into batches to safeguard their well-being as they followed necessary safety and health protocols during the distribution activities conducted at Barangay Campo Islam Hall and Zamboanga Trade University.
Go also gave away grocery packs to the fire victims. The senator then provided select recipients new pairs of shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets which their children could use during their classes under the blended learning setup.
Apart from the assistance given by his office, Go commended several government agencies for extending additional support to help Zamboangueños further boost their living conditions amid the national health crisis.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to the LGBT members and solo parents while the National Housing Authority gave assistance to the fire victims to help them rebuild their homes.
The Department of Agriculture, in turn, provided packs of seeds while the Department of Health gave more supplies of masks, and even conducted a free on-site medical check-up.
Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided scholarship grants to qualified individuals.
Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment assessed the LGBT members and solo parents who could be benefiting from their respective livelihood programs.
As part of his commitment to provide underprivileged Filipinos access to quality health care, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to visit Zamboanga City Medical Center or Mindanao Central Sanitarium General Hospital, both in the city, where there are Malasakit Centers if they may need any medical assistance from the government.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 aims to ensure Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, of convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Go, who also serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of a two-storey hospital building in Camp Navarro General Hospital to further improve the delivery of public service in their community.
Concluding his remarks, the senator thanked the hard work of the local government officials of Zamboanga City, led by Representative Cesar “Jawo” Jimenez Jr and Mayor Maria Isabell “Beng” Climaco, for their untiring support and service to their constituents during these challenging times.
“Mga kababayan ko, kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay narito lang po na handang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” said Go.
“Magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo upang malampasan natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Salamat po. Ingat po kayong lahat, magdasal po tayo parati,” he ended. (OSBG)
