PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office assisted more displaced workers in yet another series of relief operations in Aringay and Agoo, La Union on Wednesday, February 9.

Strictly enforcing the safety and health protocols, Go’s outreach team distributed masks and meals to 194 displaced workers at the Municipal Hall of Aringay and Eriguel Covered Court in Agoo.

They also gave select individuals computer tablets to help their children with their blended learning activities.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood support to the workers under its Sustainable Livelihood Program to help them start their own business ventures.

"Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan, tuturuan ho kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo. Mas masarap po ang pakiramdam ‘pag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan n’yo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo,” Go remarked in a video message.

“Dalahin n’yo po ang inyong kita sa inyong mga pamilya at gamitin ito nang tama para makaahon po tayo sa paghihirap na pinagdadaanan natin ngayon," he added.

In an interview, Marites Ginese, 55, expressed her gratitude towards Senator Go and DSWD, saying, “Gagamitin ko po itong ayuda pang puhunan po. Kaya laking pasasalamat ko po dahil may naibigay na kaunting ayuda sa amin, lalo na po sa akin dahil may sakit po ako. Laking tulong din po kasi ako lang po ang naghahanap buhay sa amin.”

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator also encouraged those with medical concerns to visit Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in San Fernando City where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their hospital bills.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, primarily authored and sponsored by Go, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently avail medical assistance from concerned agencies, such as DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

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

Concluding his message, Go recognized the local officials for spearheading the development of their respective communities amid the pandemic.

To further improve public service delivery in the province, Go, who is also Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, 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 rehabilitation of a multipurpose building in Balaoan.

His team previously organized similar relief operations for more displaced workers in the towns of Tubao, Pugo, Sto. Tomas and Rosario. (OSBG)