PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, February 15, more than a hundred displaced workers in Tinglayan, Kalinga received assistance from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as part of his ongoing efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable sectors.

In a video message, Go urged those eligible to get their shots against COVID-19, saying, “Mga kababayan ko, pakiusap lang po namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa inyo, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19.”

“Huwag ho kayong makumpiyansa. Mag-face mask, social distancing at maghugas ng kamay. Huwag po nating hintayin na bumagsak ang ating healthcare system… Bagama’t umpisa na po ang bakuna, importante pa rin po ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

The relief activity was held at the municipal compound where Go’s outreach team distributed masks and meals to 110 displaced workers while strictly adhering to the mandated safety and health protocols. They also gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets to select individuals.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood assistance to the workers through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan, tuturuan po kayong magnegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo, gamitin n’yo po sa tama, dalhin n’yo po sa inyong pamilya ang inyong kita,” the senator said.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reminded the beneficiaries that there are 149 Malasakit Centers across the country ready to assist them with their medical needs.

“Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center. One-stop shop po 'yan, zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center,” reassured Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator then commended the local leaders for continuously working hard to keep their communities safe especially amid the global health crisis.

To boost the economic development and improve the public service delivery in the province, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several projects, such as the rehabilitation of roads in Balbalan, Pinukpuk and Tinglayan; installation of street lights in Rizal and Tinglayan; construction of waterworks in Lubuagan; and acquisition of an ambulance unit for the local government of Rizal.

“Mga kababayan ko, ako po ang inyong Kuya Bong Go. Kasama si Pangulong Duterte ay handang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Nandirito lang po kami na magseserbisyo po sa inyo at handang-handa magserbisyo po sa inyo sa anumang oras,” Go vowed.

“Mga kababayan ko, tandaan natin na minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he ended. (OSBG)