PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go vowed to continue President Rodrigo Duterte's goal of providing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos, reiterating his call for better coordination between the national and local governments to provide a more holistic approach to addressing the needs of pandemic-affected communities across the country.
Go’s team continued the relief operations for indigents in Zamboanga City from June 17 to 20. In his video message, Go emphasized the importance of paying attention to local groups and other civil society sectors so that local and national leaders can provide more efficient public service delivery to their constituents.
“Dalawang taong mahigit na po ang nakakalipas pero naiintindihan kong mahirap pa rin po ang sitwasyon ngayon. Nasa krisis pa rin po tayo at marami pong nawalan ng trabaho at hanapbuhay. Kaya nakikiusap po ako sa aking kapwa lingkod bayan na ipagpatuloy lang natin ang ating malasakit at bayanihan sa kapwa upang malagpasan natin ang krisis na ito,” Go appealed.
“Mas paigtingin pa natin ang ating serbisyo dahil mas kinakailangan tayo ngayon ng ating mga kababayan. Magkaisa po tayo para sa bayan, magtulungan po tayo, at palakasin pa natin ang ating vaccination efforts para mas marami pang Pilipino ang ligtas habang bumabalik tayo sa normal na pamumuhay,” he expressed.
Go’s team conducted the distribution of masks and snacks to a total of 9,567 residents in batches at the Zamboanga City Coliseum, Zamboanga City Polytechnic School, and Ayala Central School. Furthermore, they gave away bicycles, shoes and phablets to select individuals.
Several government agencies were also in attendance and provided separate assistance to help uplift the lives of the vulnerable residents.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance while the Department of Health distributed more masks.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted on-site assessments for potential beneficiaries of its livelihood support. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered free National Certificate or NC2 TESDA courses training during the distribution activity.
Go then reminded the public to continue adhering to the health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19. He also offered additional assistance to those seeking medical care and advised them to visit Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital where there are Malasakit Centers available to help them with their hospital bills.
As part of his goal to improve and strengthen access to quality healthcare services, Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The law provides for the establishment of one-stop shops which provide convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are now 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
In demonstration of his commitment to boost the development of the city, Go, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of the Sub-National Laboratory Capacity Building for Serology and Molecular Testing, and the two-story hospital building of the Camp Navarro General Hospital.
In Zamboanga del Sur, Go likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Aurora, Dimataling, Dinas, Lapuyan, Pagadian City, Pitogo, Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot and Tigbao; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Bayog; construction of a two-story public market in San Pablo; and the renovation of the Municipal Public Park in Tambulig.
“Mga kababayan ko, alam ko pong nahihirapan na po kayo pero magtiwala lang po kayo sa gobyerno at tutulungan po namin kayo. Ako naman po, kahit na patapos na ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte, sisikapin ko pa rin pong ipagpatuloy ang kaniyang mga nasimulan at ipaglalaban ko ang mga programa at batas na alam kong makakatulong sa mahihirap,” Go vowed.
The team of Go kicked off the relief operations for thousands of residents of Zamboanga City on June 16. (OSBG)
