SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go urged the national government to continue to work in partnership with the local government units to address the needs of struggling communities as the country tries to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go emphasized the need to listen to local groups and other civil society sectors in order to provide holistic services that best address the needs of a community in a video message at a relief operation conducted for the residents of Licab, Nueva Ecija.

“Mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon. Nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19 at marami ang nawalan ng trabaho. Marami ang nagsara na negosyo at maraming [overseas Filipino workers] din ang umuwi. Ang bawat isa nito ay mayroong pamilyang binubuhay,” said Go.

“Kaya mas paigtingin pa natin ang ating pagseserbisyo lalo na sa panahon ngayon na nangangailangan ang mga Pilipino. Hindi pwede ang papatay-patay sa gobyerno. Magtulungan po tayo at ‘wag patulugin ang trabaho,” he appealed.

The Senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 3,888 residents, composed of dialysis patients, farmers, market vendors, jeepney drivers and members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association. The activities were carried out in batches at the municipal gym and Barangays Casimiro and San Cristobal covered courts in compliance with health requirements.

Selected beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes while those relying on public transport for their daily commute received bicycles. Others received computer tablets for their children to use in their classes under the new blended learning approach.

Furthermore, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance as part of a continuing effort by the government to assist low-income communities on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“Dati akong driver dito sa Licab. Nung nagka-pandemya, nawala ang mga trabaho. Buti nalang may tulong na natatanggap kami mula sa mga kaibigan at kamag-anak at ‘yun ang bumubuhay sa amin. Kung minsan, binabawasan na namin ‘yong kinakain namin sa isang araw,” shared Jose Sarmiento, 61.

”Sa ating ginoong Presidente (Rodrigo Duterte), nanawagan ako dahil may mga dating ayuda na hindi na nakarating dito… Sana matulungan niyo na mabigyan ako ng kaunting kabuhayan dahil hirap talaga kami sa renta, kuryente pati pagkain ngayon. Nangangailangan talaga kami ng tulong dahil wala na talagang trabaho dito sa bayan namin,” Sarmiento appealed while Go’s team committed to act on these concerns.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Senator reminded the public to follow the protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19 so hospitals can continue to provide care during the pandemic. He offered to help those seeking medical care and advised them to visit the nearest Malasakit Center where they may avail of assistance for their medical expenses.

To improve access to healthcare services, Go had authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The law provides for the establishment of one-stop shops which provide convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

A Malasakit Center has been established at the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City and the Talavera General Hospital.

To end, Go proceeded to thank various officials for their support in helping the communities get the assistance they need. Among these were 1st District Rep. Estrellita Suansing; Governor Aurelio Umali; Vice Governor Emmanuel Umali; Mayor Eufemia Domingo; Vice Mayor Albert Caraang; and Councilors Oliver Villaroman, Reynaldo Geronimo, Alejandro Miguel, Bayani Lopez, Lolito Baltazar, Leny Ogrimen, Glen Llera and Myrla Puno.

In demonstration of his steadfast commitment as an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, Go also supported various infrastructure initiatives in the province in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. They included the completion of the DR. PJGMRMC in Cabanatuan City; rehabilitation of several roads in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Zaragoza and Cabanatuan City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa and Cabanatuan City; and construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, Quezon, San Antonio, and Zaragoza.

He supported other initiatives, such as the reconstruction of the Llanera public market; rehabilitation of the Baloc public market; and installation of street lights in Zaragoza.

Earlier, Go’s team conducted a five-day relief operation for 12,132 farmers in Guimba from August 23 to 27.