SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go stepped in to provide aid to residents affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

Sen. Go expressed his deep concern for communities who are put at risk by the oil spill.

“My heart goes out to the residents of Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas who are facing the effects of this oil spill,” he said.

“Gagawin po natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang makatulong sa kanila,” he added.

Earlier, Go urged concerned authorities to take necessary and immediate actions to address the oil spill incident caused by the capsizing of MT Princess Empress, stressing the immense damages it causes to affected communities.

Go also urged the ship owners to take full responsibility for the incident.

MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel, sank in the waters off the coast of Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro on February 28.

Held at Brgy. Zone 1 covered court and Barangay Wawa covered court in Pinamalayan, Go’s team distributed face masks and snacks to 500 residents. In addition, select beneficiaries were given a cellphone, shoes, and balls for basketball.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development separately provided financial assistance to the affected residents.

Amid the possible health impact of the oil spill, Go emphasized the importance of providing basic medical services to communities in need.

Go’s team also held another relief operation for oil spill victims in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, a day after they held a similar activity in Pinamalayan town.

Go’s team distributed food packs to 500 affected residents at the Gloria municipal covered court. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, and balls for basketball.

Last Monday, Senator Go personally visited and offered assistance to the residents affected by the oil spill in Pola town.

His timely intervention is a welcome relief for the affected residents who have been struggling to cope with the aftermath of the incident.

The senator, who is known for his relentless efforts to provide assistance to those in need, wasted no time in responding to the crisis.

During the relief activity in Pola held at Manuel M. De Castro Memorial Auditorium, Go, together with his team, distributed food packs, vitamins, masks, and snacks to 500 affected residents.

While his team will continue their aid activities for other affected towns in the coming days, Go reiterated the need for a comprehensive plan that would not only address the immediate concerns but also ensure the long-term recovery of the affected communities.

Go has always been vocal in his advocacy for the welfare of Filipinos, particularly those who are marginalized and underserved. For one, the senator has been instrumental in the passage of people-centered laws, including Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which mandates all hospitals run by the Department of Health nationwide and the Philippine General Hospital in Manila to establish their own Malasakit Centers.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of said law. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which simplifies access to the medical assistance programs offered by various government agencies, namely, the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

There are now 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH.

Amid the possible health impact of the oil spill, Go emphasized the importance of providing basic medical services to communities in need. It is for this reason that he also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide.

In the province of Oriental Mindoro, necessary funds have been allocated to construct Super Health Centers in the towns of Bansud,

Bulalacao, and Mansalay; and in Calapan City, the groundbreaking for which he also personally attended on the same day.

Ending his speech, Go recognized the work of provincial and local officials in response to the oil spill, including Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor, Vice Governor Ejay Falcon, Pola Mayor Jennifer Alegre Cruz, and Vice Mayor Marvin Rivera, among others.