Due to the impact of the pandemic on their lives and livelihoods, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended aid to the disadvantaged and displaced workers in Quezon City on Friday, April 9.
Go’s personnel conducted a distribution activity held at the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office in Batasan Complex, Quezon City. The activity was done in batches while strictly complying with the necessary health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
His team distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 122 workers composed of 102 entertainers and 20 Transport Network Vehicle Service drivers.
One of the beneficiaries, Earl Baer, a dancer, detailed how the current pandemic has adversely affected his only source of income, saying, “Sobrang naapektuhan, kasi nasa entertainment business kami, dancer po ako. Halos lahat ng corporate events, mga shows sa TV na-suspend, na-cancel na events, na-postpone, indefinite ‘yung pag-postpone, so, ‘di mo alam kung kailan babalik. Eh, ‘pag dancer ka, halos ‘yun lang ine-expect namin, mga shows na ganoon, e. Masaklap din talaga.”
He, then, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Go for the assistance he received so far.
“Message ko kay Senator Bong Go and our President Duterte, salamat po sa tulong na ito na binigay niyo sa amin,” he thanked.
“Malaking malaking tulong ito para sa mga dancers na sobrang nawalan ng trabaho po. ‘Yung iba, nagta-try na lang mag-racket as mga delivery (service providers), which is ‘di namin gawain pero kailangang kumita ng pera. ‘Yung tulong po na ito, sobrang malaking tulong na po ito para sa everyday namin na buhay. Thank you so much po. Pagpalain po kayo sana,” he added.
Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Senator, in a video message, urged everyone to remain vigilant by avoiding unnecessary travels, wearing masks and face shields, observing social distancing, and washing one’s hands frequently.
Go also acknowledged the risks confronting many who do not have the privilege of working from home, and reassured that all poor and vulnerable sectors would be immunized after the government has vaccinated all frontline medical workers, senior citizens, and adults with pre-existing illnesses or comorbidities.
He also urged beneficiaries suffering from medical conditions to seek assistance in the nearby Malasakit Centers located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and East Avenue Medical Center, all in Quezon City.
The Malasakit center is a one-stop shop which provides quick and convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Tuluy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo, lalu na sa panahong hirap na hirap na ang mga kapwa nating Pilipino. Gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para magbigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he said. (Press Release)
