PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reassured that the government continuously strives to balance the country’s economic development concerns and the public health interests in its recovery efforts as his team distributed assistance to pandemic-hit residents in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay from April 19 to 20.

In his video message, Go once again urged the public to remain supportive of the government’s programs and policies against COVID-19, stressing how its pandemic efforts have significantly helped Filipinos get back on their feet.

“Alam ko pong mahirap pa po ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis po tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Subalit, magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo, malalampasan po natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino.” the senator remarked.

“Sa ngayon po, binabalanse ng gobyerno ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Pero s’yempre po uunahin natin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino kaya magpabakuna na ho kayo. Magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para makabalik na po tayo sa dati nating pamumuhay,” he urged.

The distributions took place at the Diplahan National High School and Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Gym where 3,333 indigents received masks and snacks from Bong Go’s outreach team. The senator likewise provided phablets, shoes and bicycles to select individuals.

Several agencies were also in attendance to extend various forms of assistance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial aid to help the residents sustain their daily needs.

The Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture distributed additional supplies of masks and plant seeds, respectively, while the Department of Trade and Industry provided livelihood support to qualified individuals after assessment.

Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted a free National Certificate or NC2 TESDA courses training during the event.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga ahensya na tumulong. Kami naman po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa abot ng aming makakaya, mga kababayan ko,” the senator reassured.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also reminded the beneficiaries that there are Malasakit Centers nearby that are ready to assist them if they need medical assistance.

Even before becoming a senator, Go has always been committed to helping low-income Filipinos with their health-related expenses. He thus initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 as the Special Assistant to the President and later primarily authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 in the Senate to conveniently help particularly poor and indigent patients reduce their hospital bills to the lowest amount possible.

The nearest centers are located at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City and Margosatubig Regional Hospital, both in Zamboanga del Sur.

In line with his commitment to accelerate the development of the province, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support in the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alicia, Buug, Imelda, Ipil and Talusan; construction or improvement of roads in Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Naga and Olutanga; and the construction of street lights in Payao and Titay, among others.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo upang malampasan natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Salamat po. Ingat po kayong lahat, magdasal po tayo parati,” Go ended. (OSBG)