PASAY CITY -- Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to assisting poor and vulnerable groups as it extended aid to micro-entrepreneurs in Bacnotan and San Juan, La Union on Tuesday, February 15.

Go’s outreach team handed out meals and masks to 158 micro-entrepreneurs as well as computer tablets to select individuals. The distributions were conducted in batches at the Barangay Nagsimbaanan Covered Court in Bacnotan and San Juan Multipurpose Center, in compliance with health and safety protocols.

Meanwhile, as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood grants under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

In a video message, the senator assured the micro-entrepreneurs that the government is doing its best to protect jobs and keep businesses alive. He also reiterated the importance of following the mandated protocols to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“Ang ating pagiging mga responsableng mamamayan na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa at nakikisama sa bayanihan ang susi sa ating mabilis na pag-ahon sa krisis. Magtulungan tayo para hindi bumagsak ang healthcare system habang binabalanse natin na pasiglahin muli ang ating ekonomiya,” said Go.

“Lagi nating alalahanin na hindi kaya ng gobyernong mag-isa ang laban kontra pandemya. Sumunod lang tayo sa mga patakaran. Ugaliing magsuot ng mask, mag-social distancing, at kung hindi naman kailangan lumabas ay manatili na lang sa bahay upang maiwasan ang hawaan ng sakit,” he appealed.

Following the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Go pushed for the implementation of the Small Business Wage Subsidy program to assist micro, small and medium enterprises.

The senator continued his message offering additional support to poor or indigent patients. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in San Fernando City where they may conveniently obtain medical assistance from the government.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which aims to help patients cover their medical bills by bringing the relevant government agencies under one roof. To date, there are 149 Malasakit Centers that have assisted over three million patients nationwide.

“Nasa loob na po ng mga ospital ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para maging ‘zero balance’ ang inyong billing. Tuluy-tuloy lang ang programang ito dahil para sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi dapat pinahihirapan ang mga pasyente. Dapat tulungan natin sila para hindi na sila pumipila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong sa gobyerno,” noted Go.

To conclude, the legislator thanked the local officials for their assistance and support, including 1st District Representative Pablo Ortega, Governor Francisco Ortega III, Vice Governor Mario Ortega, Bacnotan Mayor Francisco Fontanilla and Vice Mayor Divina Fontanilla, and San Juan Mayor Arturo Valdriz and Vice Mayor Manuel Ortega Jr.

He pledged to continue supporting the long-term development and recovery of La Union. He had earlier sponsored Republic Act No. 11562 which increased the bed capacity of the Rosario District Hospital. He likewise sponsored Senate Bill No. 2342 which will increase the bed capacity of the ITRMC from 300 to 800 beds. The measure has been approved on the third and final reading in the Senate.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported the construction of roads in Barangays Arosip and Ortega, Cabaroan-Bagutot Slope Protection structure in Bacnotan, and Caarusipan Road in San Juan.

Other major initiatives include the construction and improvement of roads in Aringay, Bagulin, Burgos, Naguilan, Rosario, San Gabriel and San Fernando City; rehabilitation of the provincial capitol in San Fernando City; construction of multipurpose centers in Caba and San Fernando City; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles and rehabilitation of a multipurpose building in Balaoan; and acquisition of an ambulance and a multipurpose vehicle in Bangar.

As part of the senator’s ongoing relief efforts in the province, similar assistance was provided to 263 micro-entrepreneurs and fire victims in San Fernando City the previous day, February 14. (OSBG)