Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team carried out its third day of relief work in Bukidnon on Wednesday, October 6, for low-income households which are suffering from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go assured in a video message that the government will continue to prioritize the welfare of disadvantaged communities as it implements strategies to mitigate the spread and impact of the ongoing crisis.
“Konting tiis lang po at magbayanihan at magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa. Huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa dahil ginagawa namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang matulungan kayo,” he said.
“Uunahin namin palagi ang mga mahihirap. Ako naman, bisyo ko ang magserbisyo. Handa akong magsilbi sa inyo lalo na sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan. Bukas ang opisina ko para mapakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing at mabigyan ng solusyon ang inyong mga pang-araw-araw na suliranin,” pledged Go.
The senator’s staff handed out meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 3,000 residents at the municipal gymnasiums of Damulog and Kadingilan.
Selected residents received new pairs of shoes while some received bicycles to use while public transportation is limited. Others received computer tablets to enhance their children’s learning experience under the blended learning approach.
In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave away financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation component of its Protective Services Program.
The previous day, October 5, Go’s staff also paid a visit to other residents in Damulog and Kibawe. A total of 1,937 beneficiaries received similar forms of aid from the senator’s office and DSWD. All activities were carried out in batches and observance of other necessary health and safety protocol against COVID-19.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Senator encouraged those with urgent health issues to continue to seek medical care. He reminded them to seek assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center located at the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag.
Go principally authored and sponsored the legislative measure that eventually became the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The centers aim to make medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the concerned agencies under one roof, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Hindi niyo na kailangan pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang opisina para humingi ng tulong pampagamot dahil nasa isang kwarto sa loob ng ospital na po sila. Lapitan niyo lang, inyo po iyan, ang Malasakit Center ay para sa mga poor at indigent na pasyente,” he reassured.
The senator proceeded to thank 3rd District Representative Manuel Zubiri, Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr., Damulog Mayor Melino Buro and Vice Mayor Alberto Salmasan, and Kadingilan Mayor Jerry Canoy and Vice Mayor Helbert Jovellar for bringing relief and help to the communities affected by the pandemic.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure initiatives to drive economic growth and improve access for thousands of residents in the province. Among these is the construction of a local access road, evacuation center, and municipal building, as well as a solar lights project in Damulog.
He also supported the construction of a slaughterhouse, multi-purpose building, and the Northern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone Road Network and Southern Bukidnon Agri-Industrial Economic Zone road network development projects in Don Carlos.
Furthermore, he assisted in the improvement of road links in Baungon, Libona and Talakag; an access road leading to the Bukidnon Airport; farm-to-market and local roads in Cabanglasan, Kadingilan, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, San Fernando, Talakag and Valencia City; and other road linkages throughout the province. (Office of SBG)-rir
