‘Magtulungan, magmalasakit, patungo sa muling pagbangon”

GIVEN that many Filipinos have been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team visit Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat on Monday, September 12 to help more Filipinos in crisis situations.

“Kami po, bilang inyong mga lingkod bayan, palagi po namin hangarin ay kung ano man po ang makakabuti para sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya naman ako po ay ipagpapatuloy ko lang po ang serbisyong para sa inyo,” reassured Go in his video message during the relief operation.

The office of Go distributed aid to 400 indigents at Barangay Saliao covered court. Among the assistance provided were vitamins, masks, and snacks while bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball were given to select recipients.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood grants that can potentially help beneficiaries to kick start small businesses that can sustain their daily needs while recovering from the pandemic.

Continuing his message, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged beneficiaries to visit the nearest Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan if they may need to avail medical assistance for their healthcare needs.

“One-stop shop, nasa loob ng hospital ang Malasakit Center. Lapitan n’yo lang po iyan, inyo ‘yan, sa Pilipino ‘yan, sa mga poor and indigent patients, tutulungan kayo nyan,” he added stressing that the Malasakit Center houses four government agencies, namely the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and PhilHealth.

To date, there are now 152 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped more than seven million poor and indigent Filipinos.

Moreover, Go reminded everyone to remain compliant with the necessary health protocols despite the recent recommendation to relax the use of face masks outdoors.

He then reminded those eligible yet unvaccinated to participate in the national vaccination program, citing that the government continues to prioritize rolling out vaccines to more vulnerable sectors.

“Patuloy po ang gobyerno, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., sa pagpapalakas ng ating pandemic recovery efforts. Pero kailangan po namin ng inyong kooperasyon upang makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. Magpabakuna at magpa-booster shots na po kayo. Para naman po ito sa proteksyon ninyong lahat,” urged Go.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go helped secure funds for several projects in the province to accelerate economic opportunities amid the pandemic.

Among the projects are the concretion of roads in Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, and Tacurong City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Columbio and Isulan; and the acquisition of ambulance units in other towns.

Meanwhile, as part of his commitment to make medical services more accessible to the most vulnerable sector, Go successfully pushed for the construction of four Super Health Centers in the towns of Columbio, Isulan, Tacurong City, and Bagumbayan, which Go personally witnessed its groundbreaking ceremony last June.