PASAY CITY -- From December 9 to 10, the office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go mounted relief operations in Surallah, South Cotabato for 2,200 rice farmers as part of the senator’s commitment to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on agricultural workers across the country.

In his video message during the distribution activities at the municipal gymnasium and Barangay Centrala gym, the senator vowed to continue pushing for more government programs that would significantly benefit the agriculture sector.

He reassured that the government is unrelenting in its efforts to overcome the pandemic and return to normalcy.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Ginagawa po lahat ng gobyerno para po malampasan natin itong krisis na ito,” said Go.

The senator also encouraged eligible yet unvaccinated farmers to overcome their hesitations and trust the government’s national inoculation program. He stressed the need for public cooperation in the vaccination drive for the country to finally attain population protection and eventual herd immunity. He cautioned, however, to remain compliant with the directives against COVID-19 even after vaccination.

“Ngayon po, lumuluwag na po ang mga restriction lalo na po sa mga bakunado. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo, libre po itong bakuna. Kung ano po ‘yung bakuna na nasa harapan niyo po, magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo,” Go appealed.

“Kaya po ini-encourage namin, hinihikayat po natin ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado ang bawat isa sa ating lahat,” he continued.

Go’s team distributed snacks to the farmers while adhering to the mandated safety and health protocols. Go also gave select recipients new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture extended support to the farmers through its Rice Farmer Financial Assistance Program. The Department of Trade and Industry, in turn, assessed those who are eligible to take part in its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gave scholarship grants to qualified individuals.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also offered additional support to the farmers with health concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City to assist them with their medical expenses.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was principally authored and sponsored by Go as part of his advocacy to provide accessible and quality healthcare services to all. Under the law, all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital are mandated to open their own Malasakit Centers.

“Pakiusap lang namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, magtulungan lang po tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo para malampasan natin ang krisis na kinakaharap," he ended.

Go, who also serves as a Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the construction of various roads in Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Tantangan and Suralla; acquisition of a dump truck in Norala; construction of riverbank protection in Koronadal City and T’Boli; installation of street lights in Koronadal City, Norala and Tupi; and construction of Bakngeb Rivercave and slaughterhouse in T’Boli. (OSBG)