PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team remains dedicated to addressing the continuing needs of Typhoon Odette victims in the province of Bohol as they visited Panglao and Dauis, Bohol on Saturday, April 9 to deliver assistance to the affected families.
The team provided masks and snacks to 1,666 affected residents at the Barangay Danao Gymnasium in Panglao and Dauis Municipal Hall. They also gave shoes and computer tablets to select recipients.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance while the Department of Trade and Industry gave livelihood support to qualified recipients.
Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated potential individuals and granted them scholarships.
In a video message, Go reaffirmed to the victims that his office remains dedicated to strengthening the recovery efforts in disaster-hit communities nationwide. He then urged the local leaders to reach out to him if they may need more assistance from the national government.
“Patuloy lang po kami sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo o kahit anumang sakuna. Pero pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo mga kababayan ko na magtulungan lang ho tayo at malalagpasan din natin ang krisis na ito,” Go encouraged.
To make sure their health concerns are addressed, the senator, who is also the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then offered medical assistance to beneficiaries. He advised them to avail of the services at any of two Malasakit Centers in the province where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance programs offered by the government.
Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, was principally authored and sponsored by Go. The said law aims to help poor and indigent patients by reducing their hospital bills to the lowest amount possible.
In Bohol, the Malasakit Centers are located at Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City and at Don Emilio Del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay.
“Nasa loob na ng mga ospital ang mga ahensya na tutulong para maging ‘zero balance’ ang billing niyo. Tuluy-tuloy na itong programa dahil para sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi dapat pinahihirapan ang mga pasyente. Dapat tinulungan natin sila para hindi na nila kailangan pumila sa iba’t ibang ahensya para makahingi lang ng tulong sa gobyerno,” he explained.
The senator went on to remind everyone to adhere to the safety protocols against COVID-19 to further prevent its spread. He likewise urged the eligible yet unvaccinated Filipinos to get their complete shots to ensure that no one is left behind towards recovery.
“Mga kababayan, kaunting tiis lang at alam naming nahihirapan kayo. Kailangan natin mag-ingat at hindi natin ma-afford na mapuno ang mga hospital muli at baka bumagsak ang ating health care system,” appealed Go.
“Binabalanse ng gobyerno ang lahat, ang ekonomiya, inyong kabuhayan at kalusugan. Kaya pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Duterte, maging disiplinado at ‘wag maging kumpiyansa. Magtulungan tayong lahat para malampasan natin ang krisis na ito,” he added.
Being Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Buenavista, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Loay, Loon and Valencia; improvement of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; installation of a water system in President Carlos P. Garcia; construction of the municipal slaughterhouse in Inabanga; and the acquisition and installation of solar-powered street lights in Getafe.
Go was also instrumental in the passage of House Bill No. 10242 which seeks to convert GCGMH to Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex.
Concluding his remarks, Go thanked the local officials for working hand-in-hand to make certain that their communities are safe amid crisis situations.
From April 6 to 8, Go’s team also conducted similar activities for more than a thousand indigents in the areas of Loboc, Dauis, Panglao, Tubigon, Balilihan, Sikatuna, and Tagbilaran City. (OSBG)
