PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go assured micro-entrepreneurs that the government is committed to helping them get back on their feet during the relief operations mounted by his team in Tubao and Pugo, La Union on Tuesday, February 8.

In a video message, Go once again underscored the importance of getting vaccinated and adhering to the health and safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19. He reiterated the need for greater public cooperation in the fight against the pandemic so the country could return to normalcy as soon as possible.

“Mga kababayan ko, dumating na po ang mga bakuna. 'Pag mayroon na hong bakuna sa harapan ninyo magpabakuna na po kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay,” explained Go.

“Sa ngayon po binabalanse ng gobyerno ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Pero s’yempre po uunahin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

The senator’s staff provided meals and masks to a total of 85 beneficiaries at the Pugo Multipurpose Hall and Tubao Municipal Hall. They also gave selected individuals computer tablets for their children’s educational activities.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood assistance grants under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Dapat suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating nais magsimula ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Dapat turuan at tulungan natin sila mabigyan ng kapital,” Go said.

“Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan at tuturuan po kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo, gamitin n’yo po sa tama, dalahin n’yo po sa inyong pamilya ang inyong kita,” he continued.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reminded everyone to prioritize their well-being and offered additional support to those with medical concerns. He also advised them to avail of medical assistance through the Malasakit Center located at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together under one roof relevant agencies, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to provide poor and indigent patients more convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the government.

It was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019”, which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

The senator has also sponsored several bills increasing the bed capacity of local hospitals including ITRMC from 300 to 800 beds.

In the end, the lawmaker thanked the local officials for their dedicated service amid the pandemic.

“Mga kababayan ko, kami po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay narito lang po na handang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” the senator assured.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo upang malampasan natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.

The senator supported various initiatives, in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, to give rural economies a boost. In Tubao, he supported the development of a local access road in Barangay Pideg. He was also instrumental in the construction of a flood control facility and the improvement of a water system in Pugo.

Other major projects he supported are the construction and improvement of roads in Aringay, Bagulin, Burgos, Naguilan, Rosario and San Gabriel; construction of multipurpose centers in Caba and San Fernando City; construction of slope protection in Bacnotan; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles and rehabilitation of a multipurpose building in Balaoan; and acquisition of an ambulance and a multipurpose vehicle in Bangar.

Meanwhile, his team conducted similar activities for 176 displaced workers in Sto. Tomas and Rosario, La Union on February 7. All relief efforts were conducted in batches and in strict compliance with the government-issued protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)