PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continued its unhampered service to Filipinos in need as the senator's team provided aid to hundreds of displaced workers in Muñoz and Talavera, Nueva Ecija on Thursday, January 27.

In a video message, Go urged those who are already eligible to get their vaccine shots against COVID-19 to ensure that they are safeguarded from the threat of the virus especially amid possible contagious variants.

“Ngayon po, mga kababayan ko, dumadami na po ang bakunado. ‘Pag marami pong bakunado, mas protektado po. Ang iniiwasan natin ay bumagsak ang ating healthcare system, ‘yung napupuno po ‘yung mga hospital. Magtulungan ho tayo,” said Go.

“Magtiwala ho kayo sa gobyerno, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon para makamtan po natin ang population protection, ‘yung 50% po ng population ang bakunado. At herd immunity kapag 70% na po ng population ang bakunado,” he added.

“Kung mababa ang kaso, mabubuksan natin muli ang ekonomiya. ‘Pag bukas ‘yung ekonomiya, makakabalik kayo sa trabaho at may laman ang tiyan niyo. Alam niyo, hindi lang COVID ang kalaban natin ngayon, kagutuman rin po,” he also assured.

Go's staff distributed meals and masks to a total of 601 displaced workers. They also provided new shoes and a bicycle to select recipients. They likewise gave computer tablets to others to help with their children’s education.

To further help them recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed livelihood assistance under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Salamat po sa gobyerno sa mga programa nilang pangkabuhayan. Sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programang ito, mabibigyan ang mga nangangailangan ng puhunan, tuturuang magnegosyo, at tutulungang palaguin ito,” Go remarked.

“Mas masarap nga naman ang pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ang pagnenegosyo sa tamang paraan. Dalhin ninyo ang kita sa inyong mga pamilya at gamitin ito nang tama para makaahon po tayo sa paghihirap na pinagdadaanan natin ngayon,” he added.

The distribution activities were held at Talavera Municipal Gym and Philippine National Police Gym in Muñoz where the team implemented necessary health protocols to safeguard the beneficiaries from the threats of coronavirus.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reminded residents not to neglect their health. He then encouraged them to seek medical assistance at any of the three Malasakit Centers in the province.

“Hindi niyo na kailangan pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang opisina para humingi ng tulong pampagamot dahil nasa loob na sila ng iisang kwarto. Lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center at wala itong pinipili. Karapatan niyo bilang mga Pilipino ang maka-avail ng serbisyo nito,” he continued.

The Malasakit Center's primary aim is to help reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses through the existing medical assistance programs. Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The centers in the province are located at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, both in Cabanatuan City, and Talavera General Hospital in Talavera.

Concluding his message, Go thanked the local leaders for their efforts in supporting displaced workers during these challenging times.

To further promote the infrastructure development and create more economic opportunities in the province, Go, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and also an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, supported the construction of various bridges and road networks in the area.

He also supported the rehabilitation of roads in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Zaragoza and Cabanatuan City; construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, Quezon, San Antonio and Zaragoza; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa and Cabanatuan City; completion of the Dr. PJGMRMC in Cabanatuan City; reconstruction of the Llanera public market; rehabilitation of the Baloc public market; and installation of streetlights in Zaragoza.

As part of his commitment to improve the quality of the nation’s health care system, Go also sponsored a bill to increase the bed capacity of Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center from 400 to 1,000 beds.

From January 25 to 26, Go's outreach team organized similar relief activities to more displaced workers in Cuyapo, Licab, Talugtug, and Carranglan. (OSBG)