PASAY CITY -- During separate aid distribution activities in Pasig City and Caloocan City on Monday, March 21, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged concerned authorities to encourage eligible members of the youth sector to get vaccinated against COVID-19 especially amid reopening of face to face classes in schools.

“Pakiusap, magtiwala po kayo kay Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte at sa gobyerno. Nasa datos naman na kung bakunado kayo ay mas maiiwasan niyo ang severe na sintomas o pagkamatay ng dahil sa COVID-19… bumababa ang bilang ng kaso dahil marami ang bakunado,” Go said in a video message.

“Higit (200) milyon na dose ng bakuna na ang dumating sa ating bansa. Umaasa tayo na makakamit na natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity. Malaking tulong ito sa frontliners dahil bumababa ang bilang ng mga na-oospital,” he added.

The senator’s team distributed meals and masks to a total of 1,800 beneficiaries, composed of youth sector members and individuals in crisis situations. The activities were held in batches at the 50 Barangay Hall in Caloocan City and Semicon Building in Pasig City in compliance with the health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The team also gave select individuals new pairs of shoes or bicycles for commuting, as well as computer tablets to help students with their school work.

Moreover, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each beneficiary with financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation component of the agency’s protective services program.

Continuing his message, the senator encouraged those needing help with their medical concerns to reach out to his office. He informed them that they may avail of further assistance for their medical expenses from any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, the nearest of which are located at the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City and Rizal Medical Center (RMC) in Pasig City.

The Malasakit Center aims to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible by bringing together the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The centers were institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate and President Duterte signed in December 2019.

“Kung mayroon kayong pasyente, hanapin niyo lang ang Malasakit Center. Nandyan na sa loob ang mga ahensya na tutulong para maging zero balance o wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital. Ano ba ang qualification ng Malasakit Center? Basta Pilipino ka, poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” he explained.

“Ngayon, kung kinakailangan niyong operahan, lapitan niyo lang ang aming opisina. Huwag na kayong mag-alala sa inyong bayarin sa ospital dahil kami na ang sasagot. Alam namin na kaya minsan takot ang mga tao na magpa-ospital dahil mahal ang babayaran nila,” continued Go.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many infrastructure initiatives to accelerate the development of Metro Manila. They include the construction of a multi-purpose building in Barangays 171 and 175 in Caloocan City, and the improvement and purchase of new medical equipment for the RMC in Pasig City.

A similar activity was conducted for 1,000 youth beneficiaries in Caloocan City last March 12. (OSBG)