PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to support vulnerable communities nationwide as his team visited Lupon and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental on Wednesday, July 27, to deliver assistance to more than a thousand struggling residents and help them recover from the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
In his video message, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged the eligible public to not waste their chance to get vaccinated and protected from the threats posed by COVID-19. He likewise reaffirmed that the government remains focused on continuously rolling out vaccines to more remote communities to help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity.
He then reminded everyone to remain vigilant and continue adhering to the government-issued health protocols to safeguard themselves from the virus.
“Kung kayo po ay eligible na, magpabakuna na po kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Pinaghirapan po ito kunin ng gobyerno upang masiguro po namin na kayo ay protektado. Huwag po kayong matakot sa bakuna, mas matakot po kayo sa COVID-19,” underscored Go.
“Mga kababayan ko, nasa datos naman po na kung kayo po ay bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa sakit, maiiwasan din po ang pagkamatay. Ang bakuna lamang ang tanging susi sa ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makapabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.
The team of Go organized three separate relief efforts at the Municipal Training Center and Townsite Gymnasium in Lupon, and Viaro Rice Mill and Barangay Caganganan Gymnasium in Banaybanay for 2,300 indigents.
They distributed vitamins, shirts, masks and snacks to each resident and provided bicycles, phablets, and balls for volleyball and basketball to select individuals.
Moreover, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided the residents financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
In line with his advocacy to improve access to quality healthcare, Go also offered help to those with health concerns. He encouraged them to visit Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist them should they need medical aid from the government.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals administered and managed by the Department of Health, plus the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City.
Meanwhile, other hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the sustainability of the operation of their centers, including maintenance, personnel, and staff training, among others.
Go has also helped in several initiatives in the province as part of his unyielding efforts to help boost its development. Among these projects are the rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, installation of solar LED lights along the National Road in Brgy. Bagumbayan, construction of potable water systems in Brgy. Bagumbayan, construction of a flood mitigation structure along Sumlog River, and the construction of IP Community Learning Center in Brgy. Don Mariano.
