PASAY CITY -- As he continues to encourage eligible yet unvaccinated Filipinos to participate in the national inoculation drive, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in providing support for the most vulnerable sectors amid the pandemic.

In his video message during the relief operation conducted by his team in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday, April 23, Go appealed to the 1,670 residents in attendance to get their complete vaccine and booster shots against COVID-19 if they are already eligible.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go expressed his optimism that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as long as Filipinos remain disciplined and compliant with necessary health protocols.

“Ang bakuna po ang ating solusyon sa ngayon para unti-unti na tayong bumalik sa normal. Attaining herd immunity remains the government’s priority kaya magtulungan tayo, mga kababayan ko,” appealed Go.

“Libre lang po itong mga bakuna. Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo. Hindi naman po kukuha ang gobyerno kung hindi po ligtas itong mga bakunang ito,” he reassured.

Go’s staff divided the beneficiaries into smaller groups at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center before handing out masks and snacks. In addition, the team gave away bicycles, phablets, and shoes to select residents.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry each conducted an on-site assessment to determine qualified individuals who may take part in their respective livelihood programs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance to the residents to help them sustain their daily needs while the Department of Health distributed additional masks.

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

To further assist those who need medical attention, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to visit Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in the city or Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City where there are Malasakit Centers available.

A firm advocate of improving access to quality healthcare for all Filipinos, Go primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which mandates all hospitals managed and administered by the DOH and the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City to establish their own Malasakit Centers to assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses. There are now 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

As he continues to help improve public service delivery in the city, Go supported the concretion of local roads in Brgy. Galas and oval track in the multipurpose complex, and the acquisition of medical equipment for Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center and ambulance units for the local government.

He also supported several projects in the province, including the rehabilitation of roads in Dapitan City, Godod, Jose Dalman, Liloy, Kalawit Labason, La Libertad, Sergio Osmeña and Salug; construction of multipurpose buildings in Dapitan City, Jose Dalman, Leon Postigo, Mutia, Presidenta Manuel A. Roxas, Salug, Siocon and Sindangan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Leon Postigo and Mutia, and trucks for Katipunan and Mutia.

“Pakiusap lang namin sa inyo, kailangan ang kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino. Mag-ingat kayo palagi at magdasal tayo palagi. At tandaan ninyo mahal namin kayo ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte,” he said. (OSBG)