PASAY CITY -- As marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt of the public health crisis, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office provided relief to market vendors, tricycle drivers and indigent families in San Antonio, Zambales.

In a series of distributions from January 22 to 23, Go reminded the beneficiaries of the simple yet effective ways to curb the spread of COVID-19. He also encouraged those qualified to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help the country return to normalcy.

“Huwag nating isantabi ang mga basic protocols, gaya ng pagsuot ng mask, palaging paghugas ng kamay, pag-obserba ng social distancing, at pananatili sa loob ng bahay kung hindi naman kailangang lumabas. Paulit-ulit na ito, kung hindi tayo susunod, mas mahihirapan tayo,” stressed Go.

“Higit sa lahat, magtiwala tayo sa national vaccine program at magpabakuna na kaagad ayon sa priority order na ipinapatupad. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagdating ng bakuna at pinapabilis na natin ang rollout upang marating natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity sa lalong madaling panahon,” he added.

Go’s staff handed out meals and masks to a total of 3,000 residents. The activities were carried out in batches at the San Antonio Youth Center in compliance with the health protocols against COVID-19.

They also gave select individuals new shoes and bicycles for their commuting needs as well as computer tablets for their children’s educational activities.

In a separate distribution, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial support to the residents as part of the continuing efforts of the government to mitigate the adverse socio-economic effects of the pandemic.

Go, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered additional aid to those in need of medical care. He also strongly advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town.

The center is a one-stop shop that provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program has helped more than three million patients nationwide since the first center opened in 2018. It was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored.

In the end, the senator thanked all local public servants for their ongoing efforts to assist poor and marginalized communities affected by the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has also supported various initiatives to help spur economic activity and job creation in Zambales, including the repair of the public market and slaughterhouse in San Antonio.

Other major initiatives he supported are the rehabilitation of roads in Cabangan, Candelaria, Masinloc, San Felipe and San Marcelino; construction of multipurpose buildings and installation of street lights in Botolan; acquisition of multicabs and construction of a multipurpose building in Iba; rehabilitation of public market in Cabangan; and construction of a seawall in Masinloc. (OSBG)