PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office mounted a two-day relief effort for struggling residents of Iba and Subic, Zambales on April 28 and 29, respectively, as part of the senator’s commitment to uplift more pandemic-affected communities nationwide.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo, mga kababayan ko. Ginagawa naman po ng gobyerno ang lahat, binabalanse ang ekonomiya at ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go in his video message.

“Magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang po kapwa nating mga Pilipino,” he added.

His outreach team mounted the relief operations at the People’s Park in Iba and Barangay Asinan Poblacion Hall in Subic where they distributed meals and masks to 584 indigent residents. They also gave phablets, shoes and bicycles to select individuals.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended livelihood grants under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Unti-unti na pong binubuksan ng gobyerno ang ekonomiya pero siyempre uunahin natin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ngayon, bibigyan kayo ng gobyerno ng puhunan at tuturuan kayo nitong palaguin ang inyong mga negosyo. Dalhin niyo ang inyong kikitain sa inyong mga pamilya. Gamitin niyo po ang pera sa tama,” Go said.

Senator Go also reassured that the government continuously rolls out vaccines to more far-flung communities to ensure that more Filipinos are immunized against COVID-19.

He then encouraged those eligible to get inoculated as this would significantly help hasten the country’s recovery and return to normalcy.

“Mga kababayan ko, marami na pong bakuna ang dumating kaya hinihimok ko ang lahat na magpabakuna na po kayo. Libre naman po ito at pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno,” Go appealed.

“Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong pamilya o kaya kung gusto niyo ng agarang pagbalik sa normal, magpabakuna na po kayo. Ito ang tanging susi o solusyon upang makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

In line with his commitment to safeguard the well-being of the Filipino people, Go offered to help those in need of medical attention. He also encouraged them to visit President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in the town where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their medical expenses.

Bringing together concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Malasakit Center aims to reduce the patient’s bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various services and fees.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has likewise supported several projects in Iba to boost its development, such as the construction of a multipurpose building inside the municipal hall, the acquisition of multicabs, and the concretion of farm-to-market road in Brgy. San Agustin.

Other projects he supported in the province are the rehabilitation of roads in Candelaria, Masinloc, Olongapo City, San Felipe, and San Marcelino; construction of multi-purpose buildings and installation of street lights in Botolan; and public market rehabilitation in San Antonio.

“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam ko pong nahihirapan na kayo. Kami rin po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay nahihirapan din po,” said Go.

“Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang makapagserbisyo pa po, araw-araw po, 24/7, upang malampasan natin at sana po’y makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay tulad po noon,” he ended.

Last April 22, Go’s team conducted similar aid activities for vulnerable residents in Castillejos. (OSBG)