PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues his relief efforts for more Filipinos, especially in far-flung areas, as his team provided assistance to struggling sectors in Toboso, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, April 5.
In his video message, Go appealed for continuing public discipline and cooperation, emphasizing that COVID-19 continues to imperil the lives of Filipinos. He also encouraged qualified individuals to avail of the vaccines against the virus to ensure better protection for themselves and their respective communities.
“Kumusta po kayo mga kababayan ko? Alam ko po na mahirap pa rin po ang panahon ngayon ngunit kaunting tiis na lamang po at malalagpasan din po natin ang krisis na ito. Kailangan lang po na tuluy-tuloy ang disiplina at kooperasyon,” Go encouraged.
“Marami na pong bakuna ang dumadating at natutuwa po ako na marami na ang Pilipinong nagpapabakuna. Kaya naman po sa mga hindi pa bakunado, magpaturok na po kayo dahil ito po ang inyong proteksyon kontra COVID-19. Libre lang naman po ito, mga kababayan ko,” he added.
Furthermore, Go also appealed to the local authorities to strengthen the vaccination efforts in their area and to assist the vulnerable members of their community, particularly the senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The distribution was held at the Barangay Poblacion Gym where Go’s team provided masks and snacks to 1,000 residents. They also provided new pairs of shoes and a computer tablet to select individuals.
Representatives from several agencies were also in attendance to extend additional support. The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted on-site assessments for potential recipients of their respective livelihood and scholarship grants.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged those with health concerns to visit Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City where there is a Malasakit Center ready to provide them convenient access to medical assistance programs by the government.
There are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide. A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program was initiated in 2018. It was designed to assist poor and indigent patients reduce their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by covering various patient services and fees.
"Iyan pong Malasakit Center para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center. Batas na po ito na isinulong ko noon at pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte," shared the senator, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
Concluding his message, Go commended the local officials for always putting their best foot forward and making sure that their constituents are safe and well-supported during these challenging times.
To ensure the province’s development amid the pandemic, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the road rehabilitation in Toboso, Bago City, Bacolod City, Ilog, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Carlos City and Talisay City; construction of buildings in Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Valladolid and Victorias City; and the construction of drainage canals in Enrique B. Magalona and San Carlos City.
Meanwhile, Go continues to boost the development of Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City. He supported the construction of an infectious disease wing and likewise continues to push for the increase of its hospital beds from 100 to 300 through House Bill No. 10463.
Last month, the senator’s team provided similar aid to fire victims in Silay City and Pulupandan. (OSBG)
