PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its distribution activities in La Union on Thursday, February 10, this time for the displaced workers in the towns of Caba and Bauang.

In a video message during the relief operations, Go, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the public anew that vaccines are key to the country’s return to normalcy. He once again urged those eligible to get their complete doses to boost their defenses against severe cases of COVID-19.

“Halos lahat ng severe cases of COVID-19 natin ngayon ay ‘yung mga ayaw magpabakuna at ‘yung nag-aantay muna. Pakiusap, ‘wag kayo mag-antay dahil hahabulin kayo ng sakit na ‘to kahit saan kayo magtago. Pakiusap, magpabakuna na kayo kung gusto niyong unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay," appealed Go.

“Ngayon naman po na nagbukas na rin ang vaccination rollout sa mga menor de edad, hinihikayat ko po kayong magpabakuna na. Libre naman po itong bakuna mula sa gobyerno,” he added.

The senator then reminded the residents that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center located at Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in San Fernando City or in any of the 149 centers established nationwide.

Initiated by Senator Go in 2018, Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to provide necessary assistance to poor and indigent patients. It was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he primarily authored and sponsored.

“Kung kulang pa ang tulong ng mga ahensya, (may) pondong iniwan din ang Office of the President diyan. Wala ng dahilan para hindi kayo tulungan ng ospital. Kaya ayaw magpa-check up at lumalala ang kondisyon ng maraming Pilipino dahil wala silang pambayad,” Go noted.

“Ngayon, kung may hindi kayang operahan diyan, magsabi lang kayo at kami na ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang sasalo sa kanila. Magtutulungan kami para maisalba kayo. Iyan naman ang trabaho namin, ang makatulong,” assured Go.

The senator’s team handed out meals and masks to a total of 187 displaced workers at Caba Central Elementary School and Bauang North Central Gymnasium. They also gave select individuals computer tablets for their children’s learning activities.

Meanwhile, a team from the DSWD provided livelihood grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The activities were carried out in batches and in compliance with the health protocols to ensure the safety of everyone.

Finally, Go expressed his gratitude towards the local officials for their untiring and dedicated service to their respective communities.

To alleviate poverty and boost economic recovery in La Union, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported the acquisition of a truck, an ambulance, and a multipurpose vehicle for the local government of Bangar; 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; and acquisition of multipurpose vehicles and the rehabilitation of a multipurpose building in Balaoan.

Furthermore, Go also sponsored several bills increasing the bed capacity of DOH-run hospitals including ITRMC from 300 to 800 beds.

From February 7 to 9, similar relief activities were also conducted by Go’s team for hundreds of displaced workers in the towns of Sto. Tomas, Rosario, Pugo, Tubao, Agoo and Aringay. (OSBG)