THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go mounted a relief effort for the farmers of Floridablanca in Pampanga on Wednesday, February 23. The senator continues to emphasize the crucial role of the agriculture sector in achieving economic recovery amid the pandemic.

Go, in a video message, urged members of the public to keep taking precautions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, especially for the most vulnerable sections of the population.

“Alam ko pong mahirap pa po ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis po tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Subalit magtulungan lang po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo. Malalampasan po natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” said Go.

“Mga kababayan ko, dumarating na po ang mga bakuna. ‘Pag mayroon na hong bakuna sa harapan ninyo, magpabakuna na po kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay at makamtan po natin ‘yung herd immunity – ‘yung 70% po ng population ang bakunado,” he added.

The Senator’s team distributed meals and masks to 134 farmers at the covered court at Kadiwa Bagsakan Center in Floridablanca. The activity was conducted in small batches in compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Select beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes while some received bicycles for their commuting needs. Others also received computer tablets to help their children under the blended learning set-up.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance as part of an ongoing effort by the government to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable sectors.

With COVID-19 posing a threat to the elderly and those with underlying conditions, Go also offered to assist those who need medical care. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City or Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando City where they may avail of further aid for their hospital and other-related expenses.

“Kung kailangan niyo ng tulong sa pagpapagamot, mayroon na tayong 149 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas. Batas na po ‘yan na isinulong ko noon,” said Go.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program has assisted three million Filipinos since it was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act in 2019.

The Senator ended his message thanking the local public officials for their hard work and service at this time.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure initiatives to accelerate the development and improve the delivery of services in Floridablanca. Among these are construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and a public park in the town.

Go likewise supported the acquisition of new equipment for other hospitals in San Fernando City and the towns of Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Porac, and San Luis as well as the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Candaba, Floridablanca, Santa Monica, Macabebe, Magalang, and Masantol, among others.