SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to distribute aid to hundreds of solo parents and indigent students in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro as part of Go’s commitment to help in the recovery of pandemic-hit communities.

To safeguard the 934 beneficiaries in attendance during the distribution activity at Hon. Arison Y. Atienza Gymnasium, Go’s team strictly enforced the necessary health protocol and grouped the recipients into smaller batches as they handed out meals, grocery packs, masks, face shields and vitamins to each recipient.

Go gave away new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected residents to help in commutes amid the limited public transportation options. Go also gave some students computer tablets to help them engage better in their classes under the blended learning set-up.

“Nandidiyan pa po ang COVID-19 dahil delikado po. Mabilis po ang hawahan nitong COVID-19 at mahirap po magsimula muli ‘pag back to zero na naman po tayo, ‘pag mayro’ng nahawa sa loob po ng paaralan. Kaya maingat na pinagaaralan ang pagsasagawa ng face to face classes,” Go expressed.

Furthermore, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided students and solo parents with educational assistance and financial assistance, respectively, to further help them sustain their daily life amid pandemic.

A mother of seven children, Maria Lisa Aranda, expressed during an interview that the pandemic negatively challenged their day-to-day lives, especially since she is the only one sustaining her family.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako ng marami kay Senator Bong Go dahil ako po ay isa sa mga nabigyan ng tulong na makakatulong po sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak,” Aranda said.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reminded the beneficiaries to strictly adhere to the health preventive measures suggested by the government, and participate in the national vaccination program, if eligible, to ensure that they and their family are protected from the most harmful effects of the virus.

“Ang bakuna po ang susi at solusyon para unti-unti na nga po tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay katulad po noon kung saan po mayakap natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino. At napakaimportante po ma-attain natin ‘yung herd immunity sa community para po hindi na kumalat ang sakit na COVID-19,” Go expressed.

The senator then offered additional assistance to the residents of Oriental Mindoro and advised them to visit Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist them with their medical expenses.

“Mayroon na ho tayong 146 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD,” Go explained.

“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance po para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapa-hospital. Batas na po ‘yan, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he added.

Go, as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, mentioned numerous infrastructure projects that aim to support the economic advancement of the province, including the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bulalacao, Bansud, Gloria, Pola and Socorro; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bongabong and Bulalacao; construction of potable water system in Socorro and Pinamalayan; acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles in Pola; and the acquisition of medical equipment for the local government of Bongabong.

The senator concluded his message by recognizing the local officials of Puerto Galera for their service to their communities despite the national health crisis.

Meanwhile, Go has also pushed for better benefits for solo parents as he authored and co-sponsored a bill amending Solo Parents’ Welfare Act. Understanding the hardships faced by solo parents in raising their families, Go expressed his support in amending Republic Act No. 8972 or the current Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.

“Alam nating lahat na ang pagiging solo parent ay hindi madali. Solo parents are both the breadwinners and caregivers of their families,” Go said during his co-sponsorship speech on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

According to the bill, the government shall develop a comprehensive package of social protection services for solo parents and their children which includes livelihood opportunities and counseling services. All solo parents working in the government or private sector shall also be qualified to a seven-day parental leave with pay.

“The enhancements introduced to the law aim to provide redress for some 14 million solo parents in the country who are saddled with the hardship of raising their children single-handedly. As sought by this measure, more benefits and privileges will be given to them to ease their burden,” Go explained.