PASAY CITY -- Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again appealed to the national and local government to remain united and continue strengthening the pandemic efforts to further hasten the recovery of the country.
During the distribution activity mounted by his team for more than a thousand struggling residents, composed of senior citizens and solo parents, in Davao City on Friday, June 17, Go reminded his fellow Davaoeños to remain disciplined and cooperative with the government’s pandemic efforts.
He likewise urged those eligible to participate in the national inoculation drive, saying, “Gusto ko po na lahat ng Pilipino ay protektado mula sa banta ng COVID-19. Kaya nakikiusap po ako na magpabakuna na po kayo. Libre naman po ito at pinaghirapan ng gobyerno.”
“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga local government units, sa ating national government, magtulungan po tayo. Kung kailangan po ay suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens at PWDs para po protektado sila,” he added.
The senator’s team conducted the activities at the respective gymnasiums of Barangays Fatima, Sumimao and Malabog where they handed out grocery packs, vitamins, shirts and snacks to 1,500 Davaoeños. They also provided watches, bicycles, shoes, and balls for volleyball and basketball to select individuals.
Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the residents.
“Naiintindihan ko po na napakahirap pa rin po ng panahon ngayon. Dalawang taon na po ang nakakalipas at nakikita ko po na hanggang ngayon ay hirap pa rin po ang karamihan sa atin makaahon muli. Kaya asahan niyo po ako bilang inyong Kuya Bong Go na paglilingkuran kayo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go reassured.
“Asahan niyo rin po na patuloy pa rin po ang malasakit ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa bawat Pilipino kahit na po na patapos na ang kaniyang termino. Basta po tuluy-tuloy lang po tayo sa pagtutulungan ng bawat isa,” he continued.
For those in need of medical care, Go then mentioned that there is a Malasakit Center inside Southern Philippines Medical Center where they may get convenient assistance from the government.
Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program back in 2018. This was eventually institutionalized under Republic Act No. 114631 which Go primarily authored and sponsored in 2019. The said Act aims to give poor and indigent patients convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by relevant agencies. There are now 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various initiatives in Davao City to boost its development despite the pandemic, such as the construction of water systems in Brgys. Acacia, Fatima, Mabuhay and San Isidro; and construction or widening of drainage canals in Brgys. Bunawan Proper and Mintal.
