PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go brought relief to marginalized workers in M’lang, North Cotabato on Wednesday, December 8, as he reassured them that the government remains relentless in its efforts to increase economic opportunities in the country amid the pandemic.
“Mga kababayan, kaunting tiis lang. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo pero kailangan natin mag-ingat," Go said in a video message.
"Binabalanse ng gobyerno ang lahat, ang ekonomiya at inyong kabuhayan. Pero palagi pa din uunahin nito ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino upang masigurong walang maiiwan tungo sa ating muling pagbangon bilang isang mas matatag na bansa," he added.
The senator’s team distributed snacks to a total of 835 workers from various sectors at the municipal plaza. They also gave select workers new shoes and bicycles for traveling, as well as computer tablets for children's blended learning activities.
In a separate distribution, representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment extended support to the workers under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments for their livelihood and scholarship programs, respectively.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go implored the public to exercise extra diligence to curb the spread of the pandemic. He encouraged everyone to get vaccinated once eligible to reduce the risk of suffering from severe cases of COVID-19.
“Mag-ingat kayo palagi dahil hindi natin kakayanin na magsara na naman ang mga negosyo at tumaas ang bilang ng mga kaso. Kailangan namin ng kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino. Habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, huwag tayo magkumpiyansa at mag-mass gathering,” urged Go.
The senator also offered additional assistance to those with health-related issues and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide convenient access to medical assistance from the government to poor and indigent patients.
Finally, Go thanked Mayor Russel Abonado and other local officials for prioritizing the welfare of their constituents. He vowed to support more infrastructure development initiatives that will encourage economic growth in North Cotabato in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Go has previously supported the concretion of farm-to-market and local roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap, President Roxas and Kidapawan City; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; construction and rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.
Other major initiatives he supported include the construction of multipurpose buildings in Arakan, Makilala, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; barangay halls in Matalam and Midsayap; a Liga office in Makilala; and a slaughterhouse and a public market in Arakan, as well as the improvement of a public market building in Pigcawayan. He also supported the COVID-19 response and vaccination rollout plan in Kidapawan City.
Just a day before, Go's team provided aid to 1,245 displaced workers in Kidapawan City. The distributions were conducted in small batches to ensure strict compliance with government-issued protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)
