MANILA -- Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his appeal to continue strengthening the pandemic efforts for the country’s faster recovery.

During the relief operations for hundreds of Manileños in Pandacan and Blumentritt on Wednesday, March 2, Go also urged the 332 beneficiaries to remain vigilant and disciplined despite the recent de-escalation of Metro Manila to Alert Level 1.

In a video message, he likewise encouraged those eligible to participate in the national vaccination program, saying, “Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19.”

“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga local government units, sa ating national government, magtulungan po tayo. Kung kailangan po suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens at PWDs para po protektado sila,” he added.

The senator’s team conducted the distributions at the Kabaka Headquarters in Pandacan and Barangay 209, Zone 19 Headquarters in Blumentritt. They handed out masks and meals and gave select individuals new pairs of shoes, computer tablets and bicycles.

Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the residents.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” remarked Go.

The senator then encouraged the beneficiaries to avail of the services of the Malasakit Centers in the city should they need medical assistance.

As part of his commitment to improve healthcare services nationwide, Go primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which aims to give poor and indigent patients convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by relevant agencies. There are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide to date.

The Malasakit Centers in the city are located at Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Tondo Medical Center.

“Nasa loob na po ng hospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno -- PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD na handang tumulong po sa inyong maging zero-balance ang bill ninyo. Para po sa Pilipino ang Malasakit Center, sa poor and indigent patients po,” Go noted.

Finally, the senator thanked the local authorities for ensuring that their constituents are not left behind in the path towards recovery.

Also serving as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported several initiatives in the city of Manila, including the procurement of medical supplies and equipment, ambulance units, and rescue patrol service vehicles.

He was also instrumental in several projects across Metro Manila, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings and halls in the cities of Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Quezon, and Parañaque; acquisition of ambulance units in the cities of Navotas, Parañaque, Taguig, and Valenzuela; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Muntinlupa City; rehabilitation of facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College in Navotas City; and construction of a seven-story Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence in Valenzuela City.

Other projects he supported are the construction of an advanced Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Vertical Expansion of New ER Building in East Avenue Medical Center, and the rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Road Network and Veterans Memorial Medical Center Road Network, all in Quezon City.

On March 1, Go’s team conducted similar relief efforts to support more indigents in the districts of Paco and Ermita. (OSBG)