PASAY CITY -- Following the government’s decision to extend the Alert Level 3 status in Metro Manila from January 16 to 31, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to continue providing aid to and pushing for the best interest of vulnerable sectors bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His team distributed meals and masks to 320 indigent families during an activity at the Hong San Sing Kong Temple in Malabon City on January 20. They also gave away some bicycles, computer tablets and shoes to address the residents’ pandemic-related challenges.

Furthermore, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial support to each resident under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Napakahirap nitong pandemya kasi namatay ang tatay ko dahil sa COVID-19. Hindi ko matulungan ang aking ina kasi nawalan ako ng pasok sa trabaho at may pamilya ako. Gayunpaman, patuloy akong lumalaban para sa kinabukasan ng aking mga anak. Sa ngayon, nahihirapan sila kasi walang face-to-face learning,” shared Joshua Domingo, a fast food rider.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go para sa aming assistance na natanggap. Napakalaking tulong ito at may pantawid gutom kami sa pang-araw-araw,” he added.

In a video message, Go reminded the beneficiaries not to delay completing their vaccination doses and getting their booster shots. He warned that a large majority of COVID-19 patients currently admitted at the intensive care units of Department of Health hospitals in Metro Manila are unvaccinated.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na magpabakuna lalo na’t bukas na ang programa sa general population. Nasa datos naman na kung sino ang grabe ‘yung sintomas ay kadalasan sila ‘yung mga hindi pa bakunado,” cautioned Go.

“Kaya magpa-schedule na kayo sa pinakamalapit ninyong vaccination site. Huwag kayong matakot dahil ito ang susi para makamit natin ang herd immunity kung saan hindi na kakalat ang sakit na COVID-19 at makabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he continued.

In the meantime, the senator offered assistance to those experiencing medical, surgical or mental health emergencies. He also advised them to visit any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, the nearest of which are located at the Ospital ng Malabon and San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in the city, where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance offered by the government.

The Malasakit Center aims to make medical assistance programs more accessible by putting together all concerned agencies under one roof, including the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It seeks to cover various expenses and reduce the hospital bills of particularly poor and indigent patients to the lowest possible amount, pursuant to the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

“May dagdag pondo na iniwan ang Office of the President diyan para wala ng dahilan para hindi kayo tulungan. Ngayon, kung may hindi kayang gamutin diyan sa Malabon, magsabi lang kayo at kami na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang sasalo sa inyo. Huwag na kayong maghintay magpa-checkup at baka lumalala ang kondisyon ninyo,” reminded Go.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he also supported the construction of a box culvert and upgrading of the road along P. Bautista Street in Barangay Panghulo as part of his commitment to aid in the infrastructure development of Malabon City.

“Alam ko po na marami ang nahihirapan ngayon dahil sa krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Hirap na din kami ni Pangulong Duterte subalit kayo ang nagbibigay ng inspirasyon at lakas sa amin para paigtingin pa namin lalo ang aming serbisyo para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go.

“Kaya tulungan niyo kami para malampasan natin itong krisis na ito. Magbayanihan at magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa. Huwag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandito ang gobyernong palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng administrasyong ito,” he ended.

Earlier this week, Go’s outreach team went around Metro Manila to provide assistance to fire victims in the cities of Caloocan, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon and Taguig. The activities were conducted in batches and in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)