PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team distributed assistance on December 6 to the members of vulnerable sectors in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
In a video message, Go urged everyone to follow the government’s directives as officials grapple to balance the economic and health issues brought by the pandemic.
“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,” he said.
“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,” continued Go.
His outreach team provided meals, vitamins and masks to 1,509 residents at the Cabanglasan municipal gymnasium. Some recipients also received new shoes while others took home bicycles to use as an alternative mode of transportation. In addition, the team gave select residents computer tablets so their children can continue their studies under the blended learning set-up.
Moreover, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance as part of the continuing efforts of the government to assist those struggling due to pandemic-related restrictions.
The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed those who are eligible for their respective programs.
The senator, in line with his advocacy to advance healthcare for Filipinos, offered additional assistance to those in need of medical attention. He advised the residents, particularly the poor and indigent, to visit the Malasakit Center at the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag where they may conveniently avail of government aid for their hospital and other related expenses.
In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored a bill that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the “Malasakit Centers Act”. Its primary aim 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 laboratories.
“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, the senator expressed gratitude to the local officials including Mayor Renante Inocando and Vice Mayor Lolita Obsioma for ensuring the health and safety of their constituents.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various initiatives to improve connectivity and enhance the quality of life in Cabanglasan such as the concreting of its farm-to-market and municipal roads.
For the province, he also supported the development projects of the Southern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone Road Network and the Northern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone Road Network in Maramag and Don Carlos, respectively. Other projects include the construction of local roads in Kadingilan, installation of street lighting facilities in Maramag, and construction of a slaughterhouse and multipurpose building in Don Carlos.
Finally, he was instrumental in the improvement of roads in the province such as the road links in Baungon, Libona and Talakag; access road leading to the Bukidnon Airport; and farm-to-market and local roads in Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, San Fernando, Talakag and Valencia City. (OSBG)
