PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in a relief operation conducted in coordination with various national government agencies, extended assistance to struggling indigents in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental on Tuesday, December 7.

In a video message, Go urged the public to keep cooperating with the government in its vaccination efforts and other public health initiatives to help the country get back on track as soon as possible.

“Pakiusap, kailangan namin ang kooperasyon at disiplina ninyo. Kung gusto niyo makamtam natin ang population protection ngayong taon, para naman sumaya ang Pasko natin, magpabakuna na kayo. Huwag kayong matakot dahil kahit kami ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay bakunado na din po,” encouraged Go.

“Kung mahal niyo ang inyong pamilya, ‘wag niyong sayangin ang pagkakataon kung nasa priority list kayo at sumunod kayo sa mga awtoridad. Tingnan niyo sa ibang bansa. Umakyat ang bilang ng mga kaso nila dahil sa mga bagong variants. Ayaw nating bumagsak ang healthcare system kaya pakiusap ‘wag tayo maging kampante,” he continued.

The senator's team gave snacks and masks to a total of 3,000 beneficiaries at the Plaridel Municipal Gym. They also gave away computer tablets and bicycles to select residents.

In addition, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance to help in the residents’ daily needs. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

The senator reminded the sick and elderly who have a high risk of contracting severe cases of COVID-19 to be extra vigilant and to prioritize their health. He urged them to seek medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Centers at Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City and Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City.

The Malasakit Center program was institutionalized in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, to give Filipinos convenient access to quality healthcare services through the medical assistance programs of DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

"Sa mga kailangan magpaopera o magpatingin sa espesyalista, lapitan niyo lang ako at handa kami ni Pangulong Duterte na tumulong. Huwag kayo mamroblema sa inyong babayaran dahil kami na ang bahala sa inyong pagpapaospital pati sa pamasahe ninyo,” he reassured.

To end, the senator lauded the local officials and national government agencies who worked together to provide assistance to the affected residents. He pledged to continue helping vulnerable communities and pushing for initiatives that will accelerate the recovery of Misamis Occidental and boost its economy.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the construction of a municipal sports complex and multipurpose building in Plaridel.

Other initiatives in the province he supported include the rehabilitation of roads in Aloran, Bonifacio, Calamba, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela, Sinacban and Ozamiz City; construction of multipurpose buildings in Concepcion, Jimenez, Tudela, Oroquieta City and Ozamiz City; construction of an eco-tourism highway; and installation of solar street lights along provincial roads. (OSBG)