PASAY CITY -- In line with his continuing efforts to support various sectoral groups nationwide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to Zambales from June 20 to 23 to deliver assistance to thousands of students who are adversely affected by the pandemic.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go advised the youth to stay in school, engage in sports, and avoid illegal drugs and other forms of vices that may lead to crimes.

“Layuan niyo ang droga. Mag-sports nalang kayo at mag-aral ng mabuti dahil yan ang puhunan ninyo sa mundong ito,” Go advised.

“Magtulungan po tayo para maipaglaban ang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Sama-sama nating ilayo sila sa ilegal na droga, kriminalidad at iba pang masasamang bisyo. Isapuso natin na ang pagkakaroon ng mas maayos, ligtas at maginhawang bansa ang pinakamagandang maipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino,” he said earlier.

Go’s team conducted the relief activity at the President Ramon Magsaysay State University gymnasium in Iba where they provided masks and meals to a total of 5,200 students from the towns of Castillejos, San Marcelino, Botolan, Iba, Masinloc, Candelaria and Sta. Cruz. Meanwhile, the team also gave select individuals computer tablets, bicycles and new pairs of shoes.

Go underscored in his video message the importance of cooperation and discipline in restoring normalcy. He then urged the government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that struggling Filipinos are well-supported during these challenging times.

“Lagi nating alalahanin na hindi kaya ng gobyernong mag-isa ang laban kontra pandemya. Hindi rin kakayanin ng mga frontliners kung patuloy na dadami ang kailangang dalhin sa mga ospital. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 starts with us by being responsible citizens and following health and safety protocols," reminded Go.

“Let us remain vigilant at sumunod sa mga patakaran. Ugaliing magsuot ng mask, mag-social distancing, maghugas ng kamay at kung hindi kailangang lumabas ay manatili na lang sa bahay upang maiwasan ang hawaan ng sakit na ito. Ituloy natin ang pakikipag-bayanihan sa kapwa,” he continued.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to each pandemic-affected resident.

Go then urged the public to continue adhering to the recommended health protocols and further encouraged them to get their complete vaccine doses and booster shots once eligible to increase their bodies’ defenses against COVID-19.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also offered additional assistance to those with medical concerns. He advised them to visit President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba should they need assistance in paying for their medical bills.

First established in Cebu in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that aims to provide particularly poor and indigent Filipinos convenient access to medical assistance programs by concerned agencies, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Wala pong pinipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center. Para po 'yan sa poor and indigent patients. Inyo po 'yan,” Go emphasized.

“Kung kailangan n’yo po ng tulong sa Heart Center sa Maynila, magsabi lang ho kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayo. Kami na ho ang sasagot sa inyong pagpapaospital kung kakailanganin pong dalhin sa Maynila,” he offered.

Go concluded his message by commending the local officials of the municipality for their unending service and efforts to keep their community safe especially at the height of the pandemic.

“Mga kababayan ko, kami po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. At uunahin namin ang interes ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal po namin ang aming kapwa Pilipino. Maraming salamat po,” he ended.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the province to help hasten its economic recovery and provide more economic opportunities for its residents.

Among these projects are the rehabilitation of roads in Candelaria, Masinloc, Olongapo City, San Felipe, and San Marcelino; construction of a multipurpose building and installation of street lights in Botolan; acquisition of multicabs and construction of a multipurpose building in Iba; public market rehabilitation in San Antonio; and the construction of seawall in Brgy. North Poblacion in Masinloc. (OSBG)