Bong Go

Bong Go: Boost livelihood opportunities, help communities recover from pandemic

June 23, 2022 People's Journal 329 views

Bong Go

ON Tuesday, June 21, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go advised the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program in Lupon, Davao Oriental to wisely use the livelihood grants they received to help sustain the needs of their families while contributing to the country’s economic recovery.

Go also personally led a relief effort for the 1,000 identified beneficiaries at Barangay Macangao Gymnasium. A team from the DSWD separately extended livelihood support to help the indigent residents start a business of their own that would help them recover from the challenges caused by the pandemic.

“Ito ‘yung programang Sustainable Livelihood Program-Livelihood Assistance Grant. Kayo ‘yung napili na bigyan ng puhunan o pambili ng ibebenta. Bibigyan kayo ng kapital, bibigyan kayo ng puhunan, para palakihin ninyo ang inyong negosyo,” said Go.

“Kapag lumaki ang kita ng inyong negosyo, pakiusap lang na sana ay dalhin ninyo sa inyong mga pamilya. Tulong ito mula sa programang SLP-LAG galing sa national program ng DSWD,” he added.

Go and his team then distributed grocery packs, vitamins, shirts, meals and snacks. He also gave away phablets, watches and shoes to select individuals.

To encourage more Filipinos to take part in sports, the senator likewise provided bicycles and balls for volleyball and basketball to others. He then emphasized that sports will help Filipinos, especially the youth, to avoid illegal drugs and other vices.

“Mayroon akong adbokasiya health at sports. Ilayo natin ang kabataan sa iligal na droga. Pakiusap namin ni Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte sa inyo, huwag ninyong sayangin ang kanyang inumpisahan na kampanya laban sa korapsyon sa gobyerno, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad at kampanya laban sa iligal na droga. Ginagawa natin itong lahat para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak,” Go remarked.

The senator also renewed his call for all eligible Filipinos to get inoculated against COVID-19, stressing how vaccines are crucial to the country’s economic recovery. He reassured those who are still hesitant that the vaccines acquired by the government are safe and have been recommended by health experts.

“Mayroon lang kami pakiusap ni Presidente Duterte sa inyo, habang patuloy pa ang pagbabakuna, pakiusap lang magpabakuna na kayo. Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal natin na pamumuhay, sumigla ang ating ekonomiya (at) makamtan ang herd immunity. Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong pamilya magpabakuna na kayo. Pakiusap lang, libre naman ito galing sa gobyerno,” Go underscored.

Meanwhile, to address the health needs of the community, the senator offered additional assistance to those who require medical care and advised them to visit Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City where there is a Malasakit Center available.

The Malasakit Center is designed for particularly poor and indigent Filipinos to have convenient access to medical assistance programs by relevant government agencies, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Mayroon na tayong 151 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop ‘yan na nasa loob na ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – ang Philhealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD. Tutulungan kayo hanggang maging zero balance at wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital,” Go explained.

“Ngayon kung mayroon kayong nararamdaman, huwag na ninyong patagalin. Makapagsalba man lang tayo ng buhay. Huwag kayong mag-alala sa bayarin, kami na ang tutulong pati pamasahe hanggang makauwi kayo sa Lupon, tutulungan namin kayo sa inyong pagpapaospital,” he reassured.

As part of his commitment to help boost the development of the province, Go, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, installation of solar LED lights along the National Road in Brgy. Bagumbayan, construction of potable water systems in Brgy. Bagumbayan, construction of a flood mitigation structure along Sumlog River, and the construction of IP Community Learning Center in Brgy. Don Mariano. He also supported the construction of four Super Health Centers in the province.

“Ako ay senador niyo hanggang 2025 at patuloy po kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil kami po’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos, serbisyo po ‘yan kay Allah,” he ended.

After the event, the senator and his team also personally provided support to 5,000 pandemic-affected residents at the Townsite Covered Court and Bagumbayan Gymnasium. A team from DSWD was also there to provide financial aid, this time under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

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