Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go called for greater access to the government’s employment and livelihood programs during an activity for households in crisis at the Parkway Village covered court in Barangay Apolonio Samson in Quezon City on Thursday, Mar. 3.
In a video message, Go acknowledged that many Filipinos remain vulnerable to hunger due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged authorities to ensure the inclusive provision of aid so no one is left behind as the country moves towards recovery.
“Ang mga mahihirap po ang pinaka-apektado ng sitwasyon ngayon. Bukod sa takot sa COVID-19, takot din silang magutom. Kung kaya’t pagdating sa serbisyo mula gobyerno, dapat sila ang gawing prayoridad. Unahin natin silang pagsilbihan para mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makabangon muli,” said Go.
“Sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan, kayo ang palaging uunahin namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Gagawin namin ang lahat para matulungan kayo malampasan ang krisis na ito,” he reassured.
The senator’s staff distributed meals and masks to a total of 1,000 beneficiaries. They also gave select individuals new pairs of shoes or bicycles for traveling or computer tablets to help with the blended learning activities of their children.
In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
To ensure everyone’s health and safety, the distributions were conducted in batches, in strict observance of the health protocols against COVID-19. A similar operation was held at the Veterans Golf Club in the city on Feb. 28, during which Go’s staff provided relief to nearly three hundred caddies and other affected workers.
As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go offered further assistance to those with medical concerns. He strongly advised them to seek the services of any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, 11 of which are in Quezon City, where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance programs offered by the government.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop that aims to reduce the hospital bills of indigent patients to the lowest amount possible. It brings together the national agencies with medical assistance programs, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.
The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. It has assisted some three million patients nationwide since its launch in 2018.
“Natutuwa ako na mayroon na tayong 151 na Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center ng tutulungan. Binabalik namin ang pera niyo sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos at maaasahang serbisyo. Kaya sa mga poor at indigent patients, puntahan niyo ang Malasakit Center dahil para talaga ito sa inyo,” encouraged Go.
In line with this, he reminded the public to continue wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance and handwashing amid the looser quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila. Now that pediatric vaccines are widely available, Go called on parents to get their children between the ages of 5 to 11 years vaccinated so they are better protected against the coronavirus.
“Totoong mahirap ang buhay ngayon, pero pangunahing layunin muna natin ang maitigil ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa para mas mapabilis ang pagbalik natin muli sa normal. We must keep the enemy at bay. Hindi dapat bumagsak ang ating health care system,” he stressed.
Ending his message, the senator commended local officials for their continued service to the public amid the pandemic.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems throughout Quezon City.
Other major initiatives include the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center road networks; road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. Dela Cruz Road; and construction of a five-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo. (PR) – bny
