PASAY CITY -- As the rate of COVID-19 transmissions continues to fall in the country, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged fully vaccinated Filipinos to get boosted, if eligible, to reinforce their protection and reduce their likelihood of getting infected and having severe symptoms.
Go reiterated his appeal in a video message during a relief operation organized by his office for 1,000 indigent families in Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija on Thursday, March 24.
“Nasa datos naman na kung sino ang grabe ang sintomas ay kadalasan sila ang hindi bakunado. Kaya hinihikayat ko ang lahat na magpabakuna ngayong bukas na ang programa sa general population. Pwede na rin magpabooster ang mga qualified,” cautioned Go.
“Ipakita natin ang malasakit sa ating mga frontliners at magpa-schedule na tayo sa pinakamalapit na vaccination site. Huwag tayong matakot dahil ang bakuna ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he emphasized.
The senator’s staff distributed meals and masks in batches at the municipal gymnasium in compliance with the health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They also gave select individuals new shoes or bicycles for commuting and provided others with computer tablets to help their children who are studying under the blended learning approach.
In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Continuing his message, Go praised the government's vaccination efforts which he credited in part to an aggressive information campaign that helped bring down vaccine hesitancy levels among adult Filipinos from 33% in May to just 8% in December 2021.
The Department of Health reports that over 65.3 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated as of March 22, which represents 70% of the target population. Meanwhile, around 11.6 million boosters have also been administered.
“As we inch our way towards a better tomorrow, this is not the time to be complacent. Your cooperation, compassion, and care for others can save lives. So let us continue to work together and cooperate with the government so we can fully recover as one nation,” stressed Go.
The senator then offered additional support to poor and indigent patients. He advised them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center at the Talavera General Hospital in Talavera, Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital or Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (DR. PJGMRMC), both in Cabanatuan City.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the relevant agencies, namely, the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Its primary aim is to reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering various medical services and expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Halimbawa, may bill kayo sa ospital. Ilapit niyo lang ito sa apat na ahensya. Kung may naiwang balanse, pwede pong kunin ang pangdagdag sa pondong iniwan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte para maging zero balance ang inyong billing,” explained Go.
To expand the provision of healthcare, the lawmaker had also sponsored a measure in the Senate which seeks to increase the bed capacity of the DR. PJGMRMC from 400 to 1,000 beds.
Finally, the senator thanked local officials for their hard work amid the pandemic. He pledged his continuous support, having conducted an activity for 1,000 indigent residents, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable residents in Palayan City last March 21 and 22.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, he also previously supported initiatives that aimed to improve access to jobs and services, such as the rehabilitation and improvement of the Baloc Public Market in Santo Domingo.
Other major initiatives are the rehabilitation of roads in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Talavera, Zaragoza and Cabanatuan City; construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, Quezon, San Antonio and Zaragoza; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa and Cabanatuan City; completion of the DR. PJGMRMC in Cabanatuan City; reconstruction of the Llanera public market; and installation of streetlights in Zaragoza. (OSBG)
