PASAY CITY -- While the government’s pandemic efforts continue to show positive results so far towards pandemic recovery, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reminded the public to remain vigilant and disciplined as the fight against COVID-19 carries on.
In a video message during the relief activities in the cities of Caloocan and Quezon on Wednesday, April 13, the senator once again urged Filipinos nationwide to always observe the minimum public health protocols imposed by the government, such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and frequent washing of hands.
“Mga kababayan ko, huwag po maging kumpyansa at andiyan pa rin po ang COVID-19. Kahit po naka-Alert Level 1 ang buong Metro Manila, importante pa rin po na sumunod tayo sa mga health protocols dahil ayaw naman po natin na bumalik sa dati kung saan napupuno ang mga ospital,” Go remarked.
“Tuloy lang po ang tiwala natin sa gobyerno. Malalagpasan din po natin itong krisis na ito bilang nagkakaisang Pilipino. Kami naman po sa gobyerno ay patuloy na binabalanse ang ekonomiya at kalusugan pero kailangan pa rin po namin ang inyong kooperasyon,” he stressed.
Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
He then encouraged all eligible yet unvaccinated Filipinos to participate in the national inoculation drive to boost their protection from the virus and to help keep their respective communities safe, saying, “Libre naman po itong bakuna. Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo.”
Go’s team conducted three separate distributions at the Kaligayahan Elementary School and Kalantiaw Elementary School, both in Quezon City, and at St. Michael Multipurpose Chapel in Caloocan City, where they handed out meals and masks to a total of 1,541 indigents and senior citizens. Furthermore, bicycles, phablets and shoes were given to select individuals.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the distressed residents as part of the government interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
The senator also offered medical aid to the beneficiaries and their loved ones with health concerns. He likewise advised them to visit any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila should they need help with their hospital expenses.
Primarily authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate and later signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to conveniently assist poor and indigent patients with their hospital bills by covering various patient services and fees.
In Quezon City, the Malasakit Centers are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC). Meanwhile, the Malasakit Center in Caloocan City is located at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.
As part of his commitment to improve the services in healthcare facilities, Go has also successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020, increasing the QMMC’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds; and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021, increasing the EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.
Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several initiatives in Quezon City to help boost its development amid the pandemic. Among these are the construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems across the city.
He likewise supported the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and VMMC road networks, road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. Dela Cruz Road, construction of an advanced cardiac catheterization laboratory and expansion of the new emergency room building at the EAMC, and construction of a five-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Meanwhile, the senator also supported several infrastructure projects in Caloocan City, including the construction of multipurpose buildings and flood control structures in several barangays. He also helped in the acquisition of two multipurpose cabs for its city government.
On the same day, Go’s team provided relief to fire victims in Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City.
“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay andito lang po at handang tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya. Maraming salamat po sa inyong patuloy na suporta sa gobyerno at asahan niyo po na gagawin po namin ang lahat para bumalik ang sigla ng ating bansa,” Go concluded. (OSBG)
