PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go mounted a relief activity, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in Calatagan, Batangas as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to help communities recover from the adverse impacts of COVID-19.

“Unti-unti na pong binubuksan ng gobyerno ang ekonomiya pero siyempre uunahin natin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ngayon, bibigyan kayo ng gobyerno ng puhunan at tuturuan kayo nitong palaguin ang inyong mga negosyo. Dalhin niyo ang inyong kikitain sa inyong mga pamilya. Gamitin niyo po ang pera sa tama,” Go said in a video message.

The distribution was held at the New Calatagan Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, February 8. The senator’s team provided meals and masks to a total of 96 tourism workers in batches while observing the mandated health and safety protocols.

Selected individuals were also given new shoes while others were provided with bicycles so they can commute in areas with limited transportation options. In addition, some received computer tablets for their children’s learning activities.

Meanwhile, representatives from DSWD provided livelihood grants under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, reminded residents to keep adhering to the protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19. He urged those eligible to get vaccinated. He also encouraged parents to have their children aged 5 to 11 inoculated as soon as the approved pediatric vaccines become available in the province.

“Madami na pong mga bakuna ang dumadating. Kapag nasa harapan niyo na ito ay magpabakuna na kayo. Huwag niyong sayangin ang oportunidad dahil ang bakuna ang tanging susi para makamtan natin ang herd immunity. Para gumanda naman ang takbo ng ating pagbabalik sa normal na pamumuhay kailangan bakunado ang bawat isa,” explained Go.

“At kahit bakunado kayo, please lang po, huwag maging kumpiyansa. Magsuot tayo ng mask, mag-social distancing at maghugas ng kamay palagi dahil habang nandidiyan pa ang coronavirus, delikado pa din ang panahon,” he added.

The senator then offered to help those with other medical concerns. He also informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City or Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which aims to reduce a patient's hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering services and expenses, such as laboratories and surgeries. It was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored.

In the end, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to 1st District Representative Ma. Elenita Ermita-Buhain, Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Vice Governor Jose Antonio Leviste II for their continued service amid the challenges posed by the pandemic. He also thanked the local officials of Calatagan under the leadership of Mayor Peter Palacio and Vice Mayor Rogelio Zarraga.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported several initiatives to enhance the local economy and improve the quality of life of Batangueños. These include the construction or rehabilitation of existing roads, construction of multipurpose buildings, improvement of the water system, rehabilitation of the flood control structure, and construction of a slope protection structure in Batangas City.

He also supported the rehabilitation of other roads in Agoncillo, Balayan, Bauan, Calaca, Ibaan, Lipa City, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santa Teresita, Santo Tomas, Taal and Tuy; construction of a potable water system in Balete; improvement of the public market in Cuenca; rehabilitation of the Lobo River flood mitigation structures in Lobo and San Juan; and improvement of the public parks and plazas in San Nicolas.

“Sana po’y makatulong ang mga proyektong ito sa pag-unlad ng inyong bayan at ng inyong probinsya... Bilang Batangueño at adopted son ng CALABARZON region, handa akong tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” pledged the senator.

Go’s team organized a similar activity for 227 families or 1,014 fire victims in Batangas City last January 28. (OSBG)