PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided necessary aid to 1,664 residents of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday, March 16 as part of the government’s efforts to help underprivileged Filipinos deal with the adverse impacts caused by the pandemic.
In his video message during the relief activity held at the Piñan Municipal Gym, Go recognized the efforts of DSWD for extending financial assistance to the affected residents through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga national government agencies… bibigyan ho kayo ng financial assistance mula sa DSWD. Magtulungan po tayo para masigurong walang maiiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon mula sa pandemya,” said Go.
Meanwhile, Go’s team gave away masks and snacks to the beneficiaries. They also provided new pairs of shoes and computer tablets to select recipients to help their children engage better in their blended learning activities while the team gave others bicycles that they may use to go to work or access basic necessities.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reminded the beneficiaries to stay vigilant and continue adhering to necessary health preventive measures despite the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases. He then urged them to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families while they help the government attain herd immunity.
"Pag mayroon na hong bakuna sa harapan ninyo magpabakuna na po kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay at makamtan po natin 'yung herd immunity - 'yung 70% po ng population ang bakunado,” said Go.
“Sa ngayon po binabalanse ng gobyerno ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Pero syempre po uunahin ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino, kaya magpabakuna na ho kayo. Magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para makabalik na po tayo sa dati nating pamumuhay,” he added.
Go also advised those with health concerns to visit Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City and Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City where Malasakit Centers are available to help them with their hospital bills.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was principally authored and sponsored by Senator Go that mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in every hospital run by the Department of Health and in the Philippine General Hospital to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical assistance programs by the government.
Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation of a road in Barangay Ubay, Piñan.
He also supported the concreting and rehabilitation of roads in Dapitan City, Godod, Jose Dalman, Liloy, Kalawit Labason, La Libertad, Sergio Osmeña and Salug; construction of multipurpose buildings in Dapitan City, Jose Dalman, Leon Postigo, Mutia, Presidenta Manuel A. Roxas, Salug, Siocon, and Sindangan; acquisition of ambulance units for Leon Postigo and Mutia; and trucks for Katipunan and Mutia.
Other initiatives he supported include the concreting of local roads in Brgy. Galas and oval track in the multipurpose complex, and the acquisition of medical equipment for Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center and ambulance units for the local government of Dipolog City.
Concluding his message, the senator thanked all the government officials of Piñan for spearheading the development of their community amid the pandemic.
“Maraming salamat po at asahan niyo po kami ni Pangulong Duterte kung ano po 'yung puwede naming gawin pa, ay handa po kaming magserbisyo sa inyo 24/7 po 'yan, magseserbisyo po kami sa inyong lahat, magtatrabaho po kami sa abot po ng aming makakaya ay magseserbisyo po kami sa inyong lahat. Ingat po kayong lahat,” Go ended. (OSBG)
