PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team mounted two separate relief efforts for various vulnerable sectors in Leyte and Villaba towns in the province of Leyte on Tuesday, June 14, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which provided livelihood grants under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

In his video message during the activities held at the respective municipal gymnasiums, Go thanked DSWD for the livelihood assistance, noting how it would significantly uplift the living conditions of the residents. Go then encouraged the 210 recipients to use the grants to start new business ventures to support their families during these challenging times.

“Maraming salamat po sa DSWD sa kanilang programang pangkabuhayan. Sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programa nito, mabibigyan ang mga nangangailangan ng puhunan, tuturuang magnegosyo, at tutulungang palaguin ito,” Go said.

“Tuloy lang ang ating serbisyo, at tuloy lang din po ang ating pag-angat. Unti-unti na po tayong makakaahon mula sa COVID-19 pandemic. Mga kababayan ko, mas masarap nga naman sa pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ang pagnenegosyo sa tamang paraan,” he added.

Go’s team distributed snacks to the residents and gave select individuals shoes and phablets.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then urged eligible residents to get their complete vaccine doses and booster shots against COVID-19. He stressed that vaccines would not only protect them from the virus but would also contribute to the goal of attaining population protection leading to herd immunity.

“Magpabakuna na ho kayo mga kababayan ko, lalo na po kung kayo ay eligible. Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga anak, ang inyong mga pamilya, magpabakuna na ho kayo,” Go appealed.

“Napatunayan naman po, ‘pag bakunado kayo, mas protektado po kayo at mas maiwasan po ‘yung pagka-grabe na sakit ng COVID-19 ‘pag bakunado po kayo,” he added.

Go also encouraged the public to prioritize their health, especially amid the pandemic. The senator reminded that there are Malasakit Centers in the province ready to assist them with their medical needs and expenses.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko po noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno at tutulungan po kayo, ang PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD. Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center,” said Go, who primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. There are currently 151 operational centers nationwide.

The Malasakit Centers in Leyte province are located at the Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC), both in Palo, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, and Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City.

To further improve the delivery of services of health facilities in the province, Go also sponsored and successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act 11567, increasing the bed capacity of EVRMC. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the enactment of RA 11566, converting the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC.

Ending his message, Go gave recognition to the local government officials for their service and support to their constituents during these unprecedented times.

On June 13, the team of Go visited the towns of Palompon and Merida and provided similar assistance to 195 struggling residents. (OSBG)