PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go resumed its relief missions around Iloilo province on Monday, December 6, for small business owners and workers whose lives and livelihoods have been upended by the COVID-19 crisis.

In a video message, Go reminded everyone to strictly adhere to the health and safety mandates as the government continues to strengthen its pandemic response and bolster the economy at the same time.

“Napaka-importante po na ma-contain natin ang virus. Huwag tayo maging kumpiyansa dahil hindi natin kakayanin kung lalong tataas ang bilang ng mga kaso. Marami ang maapektuhan at mawawalan ng trabaho kung magsasara muli tayo,” said Go.

“Sa ngayon, ginagawa namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat upang balansehin ang ekonomiya at public health. Ayaw namin may nahihirapan pero kung sakali tataas ang mga kaso, ang magiging pangunahing konsiderasyon namin sa bawat desisyon ay ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he continued.

The senator’s outreach team provided snacks and masks to a total of 1,312 micro-entrepreneurs and workers composed of, among others, waiters, spa workers, musicians and dance instructors. The activities were conducted in batches at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College campuses in Lemery and Sara and GT Plaza Mall in Iloilo City.

Selected workers and entrepreneurs received new shoes while some received bicycles to use as an alternative mode of transportation. Others received computer tablets to help children with their studies under the blended learning set-up.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance as part of the continuing efforts of the government to assist those struggling due to the pandemic.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Dati po akong call center agent at performer. Napakahirap na ngayon na may pandemya kasi maraming bawal. Ang hirap gumalaw. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pangulong Duterte at Senator Bong Go para sa tulong na dinala nila dito. Sana po ay hindi sila magsawa na tumulong sa mga mahihirap,” said Ryan Mendoza, 26.

In keeping with his advocacy to improve Filipinos' access to healthcare, the senator also offered assistance to those with medical concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Centers at the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, and Western Visayas Medical Center or West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City where they may conveniently avail of government aid for their hospital expenses.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored a measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the “Malasakit Centers Act.” The law streamlines the provision of medical assistance from the government by bringing together the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to help reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses, such as surgeries and laboratory tests.

“Halimbawa, may gastos ang pasyente na hindi covered ng PhilHealth, diyan papasok ang mga ibang ahensya. Kung kulang pa ang tulong nila, ang bawat center ay may funds mula sa Office of the President para pandagdag tulong. Target ng Malasakit Center na maging ‘zero balance’ ang bill ninyo para wala na kayong babayaran sa ospital,” explained Go.

In the end, Go thanked the various officials working on the front lines of the pandemic for their continuing dedication. Among them are 5th District Representative Raul Tupas, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Vice Governor Christine Garin, Lemery Mayor Oscar Villegas Jr. and Vice Mayor Ligaya Apura, Sara Mayor Jon Aying and Vice Mayor Jess Salcedo, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also helped fund numerous initiatives that aim to create new economic opportunities and improve the delivery of vital public services in Iloilo.

These include the construction of a multipurpose buildings in Sara and at the Iloilo City Public Market; construction of the Cabantohan-Lemery, Dalusan-Devera-Aposaga-Sara and San Luis-Bagaybay-Sara roads; and completion of various barangay health stations throughout Iloilo city.

Other major initiatives he supported include the concreting or construction of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Carles, Dumangas and Miag-ao; construction of multipurpose buildings in Barotac Viejo; completion of barangay health stations in Leon; construction of a flood control system in Balasan; construction of a seawall in Banate; construction of a legislative building complete with facilities in San Dionisio; and improvement of public parks in Dueñas.

A similar relief operation was held for 300 residents at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on December 2. All distributions were conducted in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)