PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted the need to address the plight of Filipino rice farmers amid the pandemic during a relief activity organized by his office with the Department of Agriculture in Talibon and Getafe, Bohol.

Go’s staff conducted distributions at the Barangay San Francisco Gym in Talibon on Saturday, February 19 for farmer beneficiaries from Getafe town and a second batch from Talibon town after distributing assistance for an earlier batch the day before. They handed out meals and masks to a total of 1,304 farmers as well as shoes and a computer tablet to select individuals.

A team from the DA also provided aid under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

“Mga kababayan, huwag kayong mag-alala dahil magtutulungan tayo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte upang malampasan natin ang krisis na ito. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo, kami rin ng Pangulo ay nahihirapan na din. Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang magsumikap kami sa pagtatrabaho at pagseserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go assured the farmers in a video message.

Recognizing the critical role farmers play in sustaining food security in the country, the senator reminded them to prioritize their health and continue implementing the necessary protocols to ensure that their farms remain free from COVID-19. He also asked those eligible to get vaccinated to better protect themselves and their families from the virus.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na magpabakuna na… Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna dahil ito ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” urged Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health.

He then offered to help those with health concerns and instructed them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City or Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that provides a streamlined process to help patients cover their hospital and medical bills. It brings together under one roof the relevant agencies, namely, the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Sa mga pasyente, mayroon na tayong Malasakit Center diyan sa Bohol na handang tumulong sa inyong hospital billing. Lapitan niyo lang ‘to dahil para ‘to sa mga kapatid natin na poor and indigent,” reassured the lawmaker, who primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator proceeded to thank local officials for extending the necessary support to the farmers, including 2nd District Representative Erico Aumentado, Governor Arthur Yap, Vice Governor Rene Relampagos, Talibon Mayor Janette Garcia and Vice Mayor Dave Evangelista, Getafe Mayor Casey Camacho and Vice Mayor Eduardo Torremocha, and the members of the Municipal Councils.

In the end, Go vowed to continue promoting other initiatives to improve the quality of life of the people in Bohol. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he previously supported the acquisition and installation of solar-powered street lights in Getafe.

Other major initiatives he supported include the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Buenavista, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Loay, Loon, Valencia and Tagbilaran City; improvement of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; installation of a water system in President Carlos P. Garcia; construction of the municipal slaughterhouse in Inabanga; and acquisition of a multipurpose vehicle and dump truck for the local government of Clarin.

From February 14 to 18, the senator's staff conducted similar efforts for thousands of farmers in Bien Unido, Carmen, Talibon and Trinidad. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure that health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly adhered to. (OSBG)