SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, during his visit to Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday, May 11, provided aid to town residents who are struggling to cope with the adverse socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Go’s team provided meals and food packs to 150 beneficiaries, composed of ustadzes, orphans and market vendors, at the Sultan Kudarat municipal gym. They also gave away vitamins, masks, and face shields to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

Selected beneficiaries were given new shoes while some were provided bicycles for their commuting needs. Others were provided computer tablets so their children can better participate in their classes under the blended learning approach.

“Ngayong Eid’l Fitr, nawa’y mamayani ang bayanihan at malasakit sa bawat isa. Magtulungan at magkaisa po tayo upang sabay-sabay nating malagpasan ang pandemyang ito at makamit natin ang isang malusog at masaganang kinabukasan para sa bawat Pilipino,” he said.

As part of the government’s intervention measures for those in distress, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were likewise present to provide each beneficiary with financial assistance and separate food packs. The Department of Agriculture brought vegetable supplies while the Department of Health handed out medicine packs and additional vitamins.

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) offered scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also assessed residents for their respective assistance programs.

The senator expressed his solidarity with the Muslim communities in Mindanao and assured them that the Duterte Administration remains committed to pursuing long lasting peace and stability in the region.

“Alam niyo, mahal na mahal namin kayo ni Presidente. Sa Davao, tinatrato talaga namin ang mga kapatid naming Muslim na pantay-pantay… dahil hindi kami papayag na kayo ay maging biktima ng diskriminasyon. Gusto namin ni Pangulong Duterte magkaroon ng long-lasting peace dito sa buong Mindanao… Talagang ayaw niya na may mga namamatay na sundalo o kahit rebelde. Sino ba ang gusto nagpapatayan ang kanyang kapwa Pilipino?” he added.

Meanwhile, Go also said that the Duterte Administration continues to boost infrastructure development to generate economic growth in all regions of the country particularly in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He said that with better infrastructure, more economic opportunities can come in — which is a key factor to attain long lasting peace and stability.

Among the infrastructure projects that Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, pushed for and supported for Maguindanao are the construction of the Narra-Katidtuan Road and the Sultan Kudarat Sports Complex, both in Sultan Kudarat; improvement of Access Roads in Cotabato City; construction of a Public Market in Buldon town; and several Multi-Purpose Buildings in the towns of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Piang, Guindulungan, Matanog, Paglat, and Shariff Aguak, to name a few.

Earlier that day, Go personally attended the launch of the country’s 109th Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Sanitarium in the said town. This is the second Malasakit Center established in the province, in addition to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Shariff Aguak. A Malasakit Center located at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City, an independent city geographically located in Maguindanao, is also operational.

he program was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go authored and sponsored. There are currently 110 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

The senator also thanked the public officials present for their dedicated service to their communities, including Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu; Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu; Mayor Shameem Mastura; Vice Mayor Bai Norhaina Mastura-Maik; and Council Members Saman Abdul, Abas Ahmad, Brahim Ali, Omar Bakar, Kadapi Taruyan, Mohammad Casim, Nasser Ali, Nor-ain Mastura-Kunakon, Salama Samera Brahi, and Norman Otto.

“Bilang public servant, magseserbisyo ako sa inyo kahit saan man kayo sa mundo para tugunan ang inyong mga suliranin, pakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing, at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati. Para sa amin, walang tulog ang serbisyo, lalo na sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” said Go.

The activity was carried out in batches while observing the necessary health and safety protocols against COVID-19.