PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again called on Filipinos to strengthen bayanihan efforts and to continue cooperating with the government to hasten the nation’s recovery from the challenges posed by the pandemic and other crisis situations.

On Friday, April 8, Go’s office mounted yet another relief activity for more struggling residents in the province of Negros Occidental, this time in the town of Murcia.

In his video message, the senator emphasized the need for Filipinos to continue working together and adhering to the mandated health protocols to ensure their safety, especially during these unprecedented times.

“Mga kababayan, magtulungan, magmalasakit at magbayanihan tayo sa ating kapwa. Huwag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandito ang gobyernong palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at ng administrasyong ito,” began Go.

“Pakiusap ko sa mga local officials, huwag ninyong pabayaan ang mga kababayan natin diyan, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga mahihirap, dahil kayo lang ang matatakbuhan nila,” he continued.

Go’s team distributed snacks and masks to 1,000 residents at the Murcia Sports Complex. Select individuals also received new pairs of shoes and computer tablets.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each resident with financial aid to help them sustain their daily needs. The Department of Trade and Industry, in turn, extended livelihood support to qualified individuals.

Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted an on-site evaluation and provided scholarships to eligible residents.

Continuing his remarks, Go offered to help the residents and their loved ones with health concerns as he encouraged them to visit Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their medical expenses.

The center is a one-stop shop designed to help poor and indigent patients by reducing their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible. The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019”, which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

Ending his remarks, Go lauded the local officials of Murcia for their immeasurable service and determination to ensure that their constituents are well-supported.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported several initiatives to improve public service delivery in the province. Among these are the construction of an infectious disease wing in Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City; road rehabilitation in Talisay City, Bago City, Bacolod City, Ilog, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Carlos City and Toboso; construction of drainage canals in Enrique B. Magalona and San Carlos City; and the construction of buildings in Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Valladolid and Victorias City.

Furthermore, Go successfully pushed for the passage of a bill that establishes the Bacolod City General Hospital. The measure was signed into law by President Duterte last year. The senator also committed to support the construction of an infectious disease wing at the TLJPH and to push for the increase of its hospital beds from 100 to 300 through House Bill No. 10463.

The previous day, Go’s team also provided relief to 3,000 residents in Enrique B. Magalona town and the cities of Talisay and Silay.

“Magseserbisyo ako kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas. Iyan po ang ipinangako ko sa inyo. Gusto ko pong makapagbigay ng solusyon sa inyong mga problema at makapag-iwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go ended. (OSBG)