PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered aid to thousands of individuals who were victims of Typhoon Maring in San Juan, La Union on Tuesday, December 7.

Organized at the People’s Park in San Juan, La Union, Go’s staff handed out grocery packs, meals, and masks to 2,066 typhoon victims. Meanwhile, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided the typhoon victims with financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program

The activity was carried out in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

In a video message, Go reminded the public, especially those belonging to the vulnerable sectors, to avail of the vaccines against COVID-19 as the government worked hard to secure sufficient doses for all. He also called on local leaders to closely assist the elderly and inoculate them in their own homes, if necessary.

“Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagbabakuna natin. Kung nasa priority list kayo, magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang susi para makamtan natin ang herd immunity ngayong taon at makabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Nakikiusap ako sa mga (local government units), magtulungan tayo sa national government. Kung kailangan suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens at may sakit para protektado sila, gawin po natin,” he added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also advised any resident in need of medical care that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance at any of the 149 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the desk representatives of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide access to medical assistance programs that would significantly help poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

“Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar. Ang Malasakit Center po ay para sa mga poor and indigent patients. Tutulungan ho kayo ng Malasakit Center at wala pong pinipiling pasyente ang Malasakit Center. Ang Malasakit Center ay para po sa Pilipino,” he said.

To further improve disaster resilience measures and make certain that affected families have access to safe and comfortable shelters, Go committed to push for Senate Bill No. 1228 that aims to establish an evacuation center in every city, municipality and province.

Filed in 2019 by the Senator, the proposed measure sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities and operation, among others.

“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer the most. Nagsisikipan sila sa mga covered courts o paaralan. Kaya kailangan natin magpatayo ng dedicated evacuation centers na may basic facilities at sapat na emergency supplies, gaya ng tubig, relief goods at gamot. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna,” he explained.

Apart from the assistance provided, the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance also committed to support numerous initiatives in the province that aim to improve public services delivery, including the construction and improvement of roads in Aringay, Bagulin, Burgos, Naguilan, Rosario, and San Gabriel; construction of multi-purpose centers in Caba and San Fernando City; construction of slope protection in Bacnotan; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles and the rehabilitation of a multipurpose building in Balaoan; and the acquisition of an ambulance and a multi-purpose vehicle for the local government of Bangar.

Earlier, the team of Go also conducted similar relief efforts to more typhoon victims in Balaoan, Santol, Bacnotan and San Fernando. (OSBG)