PASAY CITY --  On Wednesday, March 23, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to deliver aid to pandemic-affected households in Barangay Batasan Hills in Quezon City.

“Mga kababayan ko, tuluy-tuloy lang po ang ating pagbabayanihan. Magtulungan lang po tayo at patuloy lang magtiwala sa gobyerno na walang ibang hangarin kundi ang proteksyunan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go started in his video message.

The senator likewise urged those who are eligible to get their complete vaccine doses and booster shots against COVID-19 to protect themselves from severe symptoms of the virus while helping the country speed up its economic recovery.

“Mga kababayan ko, ang bakuna po ang pag-asa natin dito. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

“Kahit po na bumaba na ang kaso ng COVID-19, tuloy lang po tayong sumunod sa mga health protocols at please lang po, magpabakuna na po kayo. Para po ito sa proteksyon niyo,” he added.

The distribution was held at the Quezon City University Gymnasium where a total of 333 residents received meals and masks. Meanwhile, to help some residents with their commute situations, the senator gave them bicycles.

In addition, select recipients received computer tablets and new pairs of shoes from Senator Go. Lastly, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial aid to each household.

In line with his commitment to ensuring more Filipinos have access to quality health care, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography encouraged those with health concerns to visit any of the 11 Malasakit Centers in the city if they need support to settle their health-related expenses.

The center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical assistance programs by agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

There are now 151 Malasakit Centers across the country since it was first launched in Cebu in 2018. More so, the centers have benefitted more than three million Filipinos nationwide.

To boost the city’s development and economic growth, Go, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of an advanced Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Vertical Expansion of New ER Building in East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), the rehabilitation of road networks of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center, and the construction of several multipurpose buildings.

Furthermore, Go played a significant role in the passage of two hospital bills as he sponsored Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020, increasing the Quirino Memorial Medical Center’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds; and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021, increasing EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.

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

Go concluded his message by lauding the local officials of the city for spearheading their constituents towards recovery, saying, “Ipagpatuloy lang po natin ang pagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Kami naman po ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay andito lang po sa abot nang aming makakaya.”

“Mga kababayan ko, focus muna tayo ngayon dito sa pandemyang ito. Mamaya na po ‘yung pulitika dahil baka wala na po tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan ‘pag hindi po natin nalampasan itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” urged Go.

On the previous day, the team gave immediate aid to fire victims in Barangays Laging Handa and San Antonio. (OSBG)