PASAY CITY -- Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic, most important of which is the need to prioritize personal health. He advised the public to avail medical services when needed as his team conducted an aid mission for the local Aeta community in Bamban, Tarlac on Tuesday, December 7.
In a video message, Go expressed concern that many Filipinos may be delaying or foregoing healthcare due to fears of contracting COVID-19 in hospitals or paying exorbitant fees.
“Maraming Pilipino sa ngayon ang lumalala ang kondisyon dahil ayaw nila magpa-check up at wala silang pambayad," he noted.
"Kung mayroon man na walang pambayad o hindi kayang gamutin diyan, magsabi lang kayo at kami na ni Pangulong (Rodrigo Duterte) ang sasalo sa inyo. Huwag kayong mahiyang lumapit sa amin dahil trabaho namin ang makatulong sa inyo,” Go reassured.
His personnel distributed meals and masks to a total of 120 beneficiaries in batches at the Function Hall in Barangay San Vicente. To ensure everyone’s safety, the activity was conducted in strict compliance with the government-issued protocols against COVID-19.
Select beneficiaries were also given new pairs of shoes or bicycles for traveling while others were provided computer tablets for their children to participate better in their blended learning activities.
In a separate distribution, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance.
“Kadalasang walang gaanong natapos ang mga Aeta kaya marami sa amin ang ikinabubuhay ay paghahalaman sa bundok. Nagtatanim kami ng papaya at ube, lahat. Napakahirap nung unang nagka-pandemya kasi hindi kami makalabas. Seventy-five years old na ako at ngayon lang nangyari ang ganitong klaseng pagsubok,” shared Manuel de Vera.
“Buti nalang sinusuportahan ako ng mga apo at may mga nagbigay ng donations at relief. Hindi man sapat, pinagtiya-tiyagaan nalang namin. Nagpapasalamat kami sa Panginoon at kay Senator Bong Go. Dahil sa tulong na ito ay may panggamit kami sa Pasko,” he added.
The senator further advised those in need of medical assistance to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City.
The center is a one-stop shop which aims to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the concerned agencies under one roof, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Its primary task is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering various patient services and expenses, pursuant to the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“Kung kulang ang tulong na ibinigay ng mga ahensya, may pondo na iniwan diyan ang Office of the President para maging zero balance o wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapagamot. Wala itong pinipili. Basta Pilipino at poor o indigent patient ka, qualified ka sa Malasakit Center,” continued Go.
The lawmaker proceeded to remind the members of the indigenous community to remain vigilant and get vaccinated against COVID-19 once eligible, as soon as possible. He assured them that the government is fast-tracking the vaccine rollout throughout the country to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Mayroon lang ho kaming pakiusap ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo, ‘wag kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot kayo sa COVID-19. Ang bakuna ang solusyon para makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay katulad noon. Magtiwala tayo sa gobyerno dahil ginagawa nito ang lahat sa abot ng makakaya nito upang malampasan natin ang krisis na 'to,” he added.
In the end, Go recognized and thanked 3rd District Representative Noel Villanueva, Governor Susan Yap, Vice Governor Carlito David, Mayor Jose Feliciano, Vice Mayor William Cura and other local officials for their hard work and dedication.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives to boost the infrastructure and contribute to the economic progress of Tarlac. These include the construction of a new public market; rehabilitation of the dike along the Lourdes section of the Marimla River; and procurement of an ambulance for the local government of Bamban.
Other major initiatives include the construction or improvement of roads in Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Pura, Santa Ignacia, San Jose, Victoria and Tarlac City; improvement of the flood control structures along the Moriones River in Tarlac City; and construction of multipurpose buildings in San Manuel and Victoria.
The senator’s office conducted a similar relief operation for 500 micro-entrepreneurs in Victoria last November 9. (OSBG)
