PASAY CITY -- On Monday, February 14, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to 400 victims of a diarrhea outbreak in Caraga, Davao Oriental.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reaffirmed his commitment to improve the healthcare system of the country to better respond to disease outbreaks.

“Patuloy po kaming umiikot para makapagbigay ng konting tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Nais naming iparamdam sa inyo na nandito ang inyong gobyerno na nagmamalasakit at handang maglingkod sa bawat Pilipino,” the senator reassured in his video message.

“Para po sa inyong naapektuhan ng outbreak dito sa Davao Oriental, nais ko lang pong maghatid ng kaunting tulong sa inyo para sa inyong agarang paggaling,” he added.

Go’s team distributed grocery packs, snacks, vitamins and masks to the victims at Barangay Santiago Gymnasium where they implemented strict health protocols to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

They also gave away new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select individuals to help them with their commute while others were given computer tables for their children’s blended learning activities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance. The Department of Trade and Industry also conducted an assessment for potential recipients of its livelihood support.

Continuing his message, Go once again urged the beneficiaries to prioritize their health and well-being especially amid the pandemic. He then appealed for them to continue observing the mandated protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The senator offered additional help to those in need of medical attention and reminded them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Center at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.

Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Center aims to provide assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients by reducing their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible. It was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which the senator primarily authored and sponsored. To date, there are 149 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have assisted over three million Filipinos.

Finally, Go thanked the local officials for their commitment in serving their constituents and urged them to boost their efforts to help the victims of the outbreak.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also extended support to the construction or rehabilitation of the local roads in Baganga, Boston, Caraga and Cateel; installation of street lights in Banaybanay; construction of potable water systems in Baganga; construction of a municipal slaughterhouse in San Isidro; and construction of the Davao Oriental Sports Complex and rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park in Mati City.

Other initiatives include the construction or concreting of the local roads in Barangays Ilangay, Maragatas and Poblacion; construction of potable water systems in Barangays Bagumbayan and Ilangay; and construction of an Indigenous People's Community Learning Center in Barangay Don Mariano Marcos in Lupon.

“Patuloy akong tutulong, lalung-lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo. Tuloy dapat ang serbisyo lalo na sa panahong hirap na hirap na ang mga kapwa nating Pilipino. Gagawin po natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya para magbigay ng tulong. Hindi po namin kayo pababayaan,” Go vowed. (OSBG)