Urges Pinoys to remain vigilant during holidays

IN light of the alarming spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant across the globe, Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the public to be extra vigilant in the weeks ahead while authorities continue to study about the new strain and develop extra measures to combat it.

Go reiterated the importance of getting inoculated and urged everyone eligible to complete their vaccine doses and receive their booster shots as soon as they are scheduled to do so in a video message during the relief efforts conducted by his team in the cities of Tangub and Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental from December 12 to 15.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na magpabakuna lalo na’t bukas na ang programa sa general population. Nasa datos naman na kung sino ang positibo at grabe ‘yung sintomas ay kadalasan sila ‘yung mga hindi pa bakunado,” pointed out Go.

“Kaya ipakita natin ang malasakit sa ating mga frontliners at magpa-schedule na sa pinakamalapit ninyong vaccination site. Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna dahil ito ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

Go’s staff distributed snacks and masks to a total of 6,006 residents at Ozamiz City National High School gymnasium and Sinanduloy Cultural Center in Tangub City. They gave select recipients bicycles for traveling and computer tablets to help children navigate their way through the blended learning set-up.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance to the residents as part of the government intervention measures for individuals in crisis situations. The Department of Trade and Industry, on the other hand, conducted assessments for its livelihood assistance program.

Furthermore, Go reminded the sick and others at high risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19 to be even more cautious during the holidays. He offered them additional medical support and advised them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital (DMDTMH) in Tangub City and at Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently apply for medical aid offered by different government agencies, specifically the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Ngayon, kung may pasyente na hindi kayang gamutin diyan, pwede natin kayong dalhin sa Maynila at ako na po ang sasagot sa gastusin niyo,” reassured Go.

In the end, the lawmaker thanked Deputy Speaker and 2nd District Representative Henry Oaminal and other government officials for their tireless work during the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported numerous initiatives to improve the delivery of key public services in Tangub City, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barangay Lorenzo Tan and at the Governor Alfonso D. Tan College; infrastructure development of the DMDTMH; and provision of financial assistance for education and social protection.

He also supported the rehabilitation of the Ozamiz Airport, road rehabilitation and installation of street lights in several areas, and the construction of a multipurpose building in the Ozamiz City Cluster.

Other initiatives he supported are the rehabilitation of roads in Aloran, Bonifacio, Calamba, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela and Sinacaban; construction of multipurpose buildings in Concepcion, Jimenez, Plaridel, Tudela and Oroquieta City; construction of an eco-tourism highway; and installation of solar street lights along provincial roads.

On December 10 and 11, Go’s team provided similar aid to 3,000 residents in the town of Calamba. All activities were conducted in small batches and in strict compliance with the government-issued protocols against COVID-19.