SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, consistent with his commitment to bring assistance to those in need, had his team provide support to hundreds of indigents in Mapanas, Northern Samar.

Go was set to visit the province of Northern Samar where he was supposed to personally lead a series of relief operations for struggling residents of Mapanas, Lavesarez, and Catarman. However, due to a mechanical issue in one of the aircraft’s engines, the senator was forced to abort his flight.

“At 10 a.m. today, our plane had to abort the flight at NAIA after developing a mechanical issue in one of its engines. Despite best efforts to secure alternative flights, with much regret, we cannot push through with my personal visit. The safety of everyone on board is also paramount. However, we made sure that the scheduled activities, particularly the distribution of much-needed assistance to the affected families, be conducted without delay. My staff had been on the ground in Northern Samar for several days already, assisting local authorities to address the needs of the victims,” expressed Go.

“Salamat sa Diyos na ligtas naman kami at walang gaanong aberya ang idinulot sa ating paliparan sa nangyari. I commend the MIAA personnel for the swift recovery action to minimize adverse impacts on other flight operations and the plane crew for ensuring our safety,” he continued.

The senator’s outreach team proceeded with the distribution activity as part of the senator’s dedicated efforts to help uplift the lives of Filipinos in crisis situations.

Held at the municipal gymnasium, Go’s staff distributed relief items, such as grocery packs, meals, masks, vitamins, shirts, and umbrellas to 500 disadvantaged residents. In addition, they also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development likewise extended financial assistance.

The senator then gave recognition to the local officials who continued to serve in the spirit of bayanihan despite the weather disturbances, including Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Congressmen Harris Christopher Ongchuan and Paul Daza, Mapanas Mayor Ronn Tejano and Vice Mayor Raquel Capoquian, among others.

“Nais ko pong humingi ng pasensya sa ating mga kababayan diyan sa Mapanas. Alam ko pong naghintay kayo, kahit ako ay nais kayong makita. Kaya naman sa abot ng aking makakaya ay sisiguraduhin kong mabisita kayo ulit,” said Go in his video message.

“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng local officials na andiyan po ngayon. Maraming salamat sa inyong pag-asikaso sa ating mga kababayan. Ipagpatuloy niyo lang ang matapat na serbisyo dahil mas kinakailangan kayo ng ating mga kababayan ngayon. Kung ano man pong tulong ang maaari kong mabigay, nandito lang ako at tutulong ako sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he reassured.

Meanwhile, Governor Ongchuan, Congressmen Ongchuan and Daza extended their appreciation towards the senator’s willingness to help and compassion for the people of Northern Samar. They then reassured that they will continue to support Senator Go’s initiatives to help uplift and provide a comfortable life for the Filipino people.

Continuing his message, Go, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to assist those with health issues. He advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman.

After he personally witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos to get the medical services they need, Go was motivated to start the Malasakit Centers program which brings together all concerned agencies that offer medical assistance programs. The program was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 in 2019, which was primarily authored and sponsored by Go.

Committed to bringing the government health services closer to Filipinos, Go also supported the construction of Super Health Centers in San Roque, Laoang, San Isidro, and Lavezares, which he was also supposed to inspect that day.

Aimed at reducing hospital occupancy rates, Super Health Centers will offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

Later that day, Go’s outreach team continued to give assistance to more indigents in the towns of Lavesarez and Catarman. Furthermore, there will be more indigents to be assisted in the said towns on the following day.