To ensure underprivileged Filipinos are well-supported during this time of crisis, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to the towns of Balete and New Washington in Aklan on Wednesday (Oct. 13) to hand over aid to various sectoral groups.
“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo, kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte nahihirapan din po kami. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para pa po makapagserbisyo upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” said Go in his video message.
“Kailangan po namin ang tulong ninyo, hindi po namin kaya itong gawin mag-isa sa gobyerno. Kailangan po ng tulong, kailangan po ng kooperasyon, kailangan po ang disiplina ng bawat isa,” he added.
The senator appealed to the residents for their continued cooperation and discipline as the fight against COVID-19 continues. He encouraged those still reluctant to get vaccinated to participate in the national vaccination program as this will protect them against the virus and also help the government easily attain population protection leading to herd immunity.
“Kung gusto ninyo makamtan natin ang herd immunity ngayong taon at makabalik na tayo sa normal niyong pamumuhay, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna. Huwag kayo matakot dito. Matakot kayo sa COVID-19 dahil nakakamatay ito,” continued Go.
In line with his priority as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography to look out for the well-being of Filipinos, Go urged the public to prioritize their health care needs amid the ongoing public health emergency and advised them to avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Center located at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo.
“Mga kababayan ko, mayroon na ho tayong 143 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas. Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko po noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.
“Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center, para po sa mga poor and indigent patients ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center, handang tumulong po ‘yan sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.
Go’s staff organized three separate activities at Mayor Teodoro Calizo Memorial Civic Center and Morales Multipurpose Pavement, both in Balete; and at Barangay Tambak Covered Court in New Washington to ensure an efficient and safe distribution for a total of 4,000 residents.
The outreach team grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches and strictly implemented necessary safety and health protocols all throughout the relief operations to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.
Go’s personnel handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to each recipient. They also gave some individuals new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use.
In addition, Go’s team provided computer tablets to select beneficiaries to help their children participate better in class under the blended learning setup.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to all beneficiaries while the Department of Trade and Industry provided further livelihood support to qualified recipients. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted evaluations for scholarship grants.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo, President Duterte at Senator Bong Go. Marami po talaga kayong natutulungan at sana po ay marami pa kayong matulungan dahil po marami po talaga ang nangangailangan ngayong panahon na ito,” Dulia Dizon, 69, said in an interview.
To help boost the economic growth and opportunities of Balete, Go, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various infrastructure initiatives, including the construction of a multi-purpose building that can serve as an evacuation center and the construction of Guinhambaran-Talipapa barangay road.
Go also supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Buruanga and Kalibo, rehabilitation of roads in Makato, construction of a two-storey building for Ibajay District Hospital and improvement of the Ibajay Municipal Park in Ibajay, reconstruction of Kalibo Public Market in Kalibo, improvement of a public park in Libacao, construction of an evacuation center and improvement of a slaughterhouse in Numancia, and acquisition and installation of streetlights in Tangalan.
Ending his message, Go commended Rep. Carlito Marquez, Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Vice Gov. Reynaldo Quimpo, New Washington Mayor Shimonette Francisco and Vice Mayor Kristian Peralta, Balete Mayor Dexter Calizo and Vice Mayor Patrick Lachica, and other local leaders for their service and support to their residents.
On the previous day, Go’s team also conducted similar distribution efforts to 5,000 vulnerable residents in the towns of Kalibo and Banga. (Office of SBG) – jlo
