IN an ongoing effort to aid vulnerable sectors adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to struggling individuals who sought government support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office in Batasan Complex, Quezon City on Saturday, December 11.

In a video message, Go urged everyone to follow the mandated health and safety protocols as the government continuously works hard to balance the economic and public health considerations in its pandemic response.

“Napakaimportante po na ma-contain natin ang virus. Huwag tayo maging kumpiyansa dahil hindi natin kakayanin kung lalong tataas ang bilang ng mga kaso. Marami ang maapektuhan at mawawalan ng trabaho kung magsasara muli tayo,” he said.

“Sa ngayon, ginagawa namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat upang balansehin ang ekonomiya at public health. Ayaw namin may nahihirapan pero kung sakali tataas ang mga kaso, ang magiging pangunahing konsiderasyon namin sa bawat desisyon ay ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he continued.

Go’s team distributed meals to 100 recipients and gave some of them computer tablets and new pairs of shoes, while DSWD provided them with financial assistance. The distribution was done in batches while observing necessary protocols against COVID-19.

The lawmaker offered additional support to those needing medical attention. He also advised them to seek the services of any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, particularly those at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and National Children’s Hospital in the city.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients may conveniently apply for medical assistance from the relevant government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It aims to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering patient services and expenses. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored.

“Sinimulan namin ang programang ito dahil ayaw naming pinapahirapan kayo. Dito niyo makikita ang puso ni Pangulong Duterte para sa mga mahihirap. Binabalik namin ang pera ninyo sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mas mabilis at maayos na serbisyo,” explained Go.

“Masaya akong sunud-sunod ang pagbubukas ng mga Malasakit Centers. Tiwala ako na magiging malaking tulong ito sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga walang matakbuhan at maaasahan kundi ang gobyerno,” he added.

The senator then commended and thanked the local government officials of Quezon City for their public service and dedication to help their vulnerable constituents amid the health crisis.

“Maraming salamat po sa national government agencies at LGU na tumulong, huwag niyo pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap,” Go ended.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also extended his support in several projects to boost public service delivery in the city, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barangays Project 6, Capri and Bagbag; rehabilitation of road networks in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center; enhancements for the Veterans Memorial Medical Center; construction of a multipurpose building in Camp Aguinaldo, and many others.

The previous month, Go also partnered with DSWD to help hundreds of families whose houses were razed in several fire incidents in Quezon City.