PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered assistance to thousands of residents in Baybay City and Inopacan town, Leyte on Monday, March 21, as part of his continuing commitment to support disadvantaged and marginalized groups affected by the ongoing pandemic.

To avert another spike in COVID-19 cases, Go, in a video message, reminded the public to remain vigilant. He underlined the importance of caution and discipline, warning that one's actions could have far-reaching implications to others' health and well-being.

“Sa ngayon, ginagawa namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang lahat para balansehin ang ekonomiya at public health. Ayaw naming may nahihirapan pero ang magiging pangunahing konsiderasyon namin sa bawat desisyon ng gobyerno ay ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go.

“Napaka-importante na ma-contain natin itong pandemya. Huwag tayo maging kumpiyansa dahil hindi natin kakayanin kung tataas muli ang bilang ng mga kaso. Marami ang maaapektuhan at mawawalan ng trabaho kung magsasara tayo,” he added.

Go’s team provided snacks and masks to 2,000 residents, who were divided into batches. The distribution activities were held at the municipal gymnasiums in compliance with mandated health protocols.

The team also gave select individuals new pairs of shoes and bicycles for commuting and provided others with computer tablets for their children’s studies.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial aid as part of the government’s efforts to assist individuals in crisis situations. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments for their respective assistance programs.

The senator, an advocate for better access to quality healthcare, urged residents not to ignore their medical needs in the midst of the pandemic. He offered to assist the sick and urged them to also avail of assistance from any of the province's five Malasakit Centers.

The center is a one-stop shop which aims to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible. It brings together under one roof the various government agencies which offer medical assistance, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

A Malasakit Center has been opened each at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City, and Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo.

“Wala po itong pinipili. Halimbawa, may dagdag na gastos ang pasyente na hindi covered ng PhilHealth, diyan papasok ang mga ibang ahensya. May replenishable na funds na iniwan din ang Office of the President bilang pandagdag na tulong sa inyo,” explained Go, who primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

To improve the delivery of public healthcare services in Leyte province, the senator also previously sponsored and successfully pushed for the passage of a bill to increase the bed capacity of the EVRMC and another to convert the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC.

The senator concluded his message by thanking the local officials for their significant contributions in the fight against the pandemic.

To create more jobs and boost economic growth in the province, Go has likewise supported numerous infrastructure initiatives in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. He was instrumental in the construction of the Baybay City coast road and the rehabilitation of a slaughterhouse in Baybay City, and the construction of a public market and roads in Inopacan.

He also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Abuyog, Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Leyte and Tolosa; construction of an evacuation center in Abuyog; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan and Tolosa; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Isabel and Villaba, among others

On March 17, Go was in Palo to personally witness the turnover of PhP792.5 million in financial assistance from the OP to support various health development initiatives in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. The next day, Go’s office aided 2,000 residents in Hindang and Santa Fe. (OSBG)