PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recognized the dedication and sacrifice of agricultural workers nationwide to ensure the country’s food security and economic recovery amid the ongoing health crisis.

In his video message during the relief operation for 650 rice farmers in San Luis, Agusan del Sur on Monday, December 6, Go reiterated his call for the government to implement more measures that would further promote the welfare of the agricultural workforce, particularly small-scale farmers.

“Food security is an integral element of our national security. Hungry people are angry people. Having said this, we will continue to build agriculture support systems and infrastructure, such as farm-to-market roads,” Go earlier noted.

The senator’s staff organized the distribution activity at San Luis Amphitheater where they gave away masks and snacks to the farmers. They also gave computer tablets and bicycles to select workers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture extended financial assistance through its Rice Farmer Financial Assistance program, as part of the government's efforts to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on the agricultural sector.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

Continuing his message, the senator encouraged the farmers to reach out to his office should they need additional support. He also reassured them that the Duterte administration remains committed to help communities attain population protection leading to herd immunity through the government’s vaccination efforts.

“Kung may maitutulong kami sa inyo, magsabi lang kayo. Huwag kayong mahiya lumapit sa amin dahil trabaho namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magserbisyo sa inyo. Patuloy din tayong magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa upang malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin,” said Go.

“Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo sa inyo. Gagawin natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya upang makapagbigay ng tulong at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he stressed.

Go, as the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also advised the farmers to avail of the services of the nearest Malasakit Center at Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad should they need help with their medical expenses.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 aims to make government medical assistance programs more accessible to poor and indigent patients by bringing together the concerned agencies, namely the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

The senator ended his message by thanking the local officials for their hard work and appealed for them to continue providing necessary support to their most vulnerable constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several initiatives in San Luis to upgrade its infrastructure and create more economic opportunities for its residents. Among these projects are the construction of a multipurpose building; rehabilitation of roads; and acquisition of ambulance units.

For the province, he also supported the construction or improvement of existing roads in Bayugan, Bunawan, Prosperidad and Veruela; concretion of local roads in Esperanza and La Paz; construction of multipurpose buildings in Bayugan and Prosperidad; construction of an evacuation center in Prosperidad; improvement of the Adlayan riverbank in San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza. (OSBG)