SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go commended barangay officials and other barangay workers such as “tanods” as they continue to fulfill their mandate to protect citizens from the threats of COVID-19 and other crisis situations faced by their communities.

During a virtual meeting with barangay officials and workers of the 6th District of Manila City, Go reaffirmed his commitment to promote their welfare and capacitate them further in fulfilling their duties. He also commended the barangay units and workers for their contributions in the fight against COVID-19 being in the government’s frontlines.

“Naiintindihan ko po ang mga pinagdadaanan ninyo. Noong Mayor pa ng Davao si Pangulong Duterte, nakita ko kung gaano kaimportante ang papel na ginagawa ninyo sa komunidad. Kayo ang unang takbuhan ng mga tao at kayo ang unang rumeresponde sa pangangailangan ng mga nasasakupan ninyo. Lalo na ngayon na may krisis tayong hinaharap,” Go shared.

“Kaya saludo po kami sa lahat ng mga tanod at iba pang barangay workers. Magtulungan lang po tayo para sa kapakanan ng kapwa nating Pilipino. Huwag kayong mag-atubiling lapitan kami dahil nandito lang kami para suportahan at ipaglaban kayo,” he added.

He urged them to continue working for the best interests of their constituents and not waste the opportunity given to them to serve further after President Rodrigo Duterte enacted Republic Act No. 11462 which postponed the barangay elections from May 2020 to December 2022. The measure was authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate.

“Kung maaalala niyo, ‘yung ipinangako namin ni Pangulong Duterte na i-postpone ‘yung barangay elections from 2020 to December of 2022 ay tinupad namin para bigyan kayo ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo dahil hindi niyo naman kasalanan na dalawang taon ang natira sa inyo pagkatapos ng (nakaraang) eleksyon,” began Go.

“Pakiusap namin, ‘wag niyong pabayaan ang mga kababayan natin sa panahong ito, lalo na ‘yung mga nangangailangan at mahihirap na walang matakbuhan kundi kayo po,” he continued.

Go pointed out that the postponement was the right and proper action to take in order to shorten the gap of the national and barangay elections so all levels of government can work more effectively by aligning their agenda, objectives and programs for the benefit of the people who placed them in office.

“Please maintain peace and order sa inyong lugar. Tulungan niyo (mga tanod) ang kapitan ninyo dahil kayo ang nakakaalam sa pasikot-sikot diyan sa barangay niyo,” appealed Go.

“Tulungan niyo rin si Mayor at ang national government dahil hindi magiging successful ang mga kampanya laban sa kriminalidad at iligal na droga kung hindi sa tulong niyo. Napakalaking parte ang ginagampanan ng mga tanod sa ating mga barangay,” he emphasized.

Moreover, the Senator reiterated his commitment to push for the passage of his proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 391, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Barangays Bill. The bill seeks to provide barangay officials proper compensation similarly accorded to regular government employees as well as other benefits to promote their welfare and capacitate them further in the fulfillment of their mandate.

“Ito ang isa sa mga sinusulong natin bagama’t hirap tayo dahil kakailanganin nito ng pera at nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. So, ang mabuting gawin dito ay ang magtulungan ang legislative at executive (branches) para maisakatuparan ito. Hindi ako titigil na ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng mga barangay officials natin,” vowed Go.

Upon the request of Deputy Speaker and Manila City 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., Go also committed to help provide pairs of shoes to a total of 2,168 tanod members. Moreover, former Speaker and Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano committed to provide vests while Abante will provide shirts and pants. The uniforms will be distributed in batches next week.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also reminded barangay units to assist constituents needing medical care. He advised them to avail of the services of any of the 26 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila or 130 established nationwide, including those in Manila City located at the Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and San Lazaro Hospital.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for the government’s medical assistance programs. Its partner agencies include the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized under R.A. No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate prior to President Duterte signing it into law in December 2019.

“Kung may medical bill kayo, ilapit niyo ito sa Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito makahingi ng tulong sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno na nasa iisang kwarto na sa loob mismo ng ospital. Wala itong pinipili. Basta Pilipino ka, poor o indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” explained Go.

He also commended barangay workers for supporting the national vaccine program and urged them to help the national government raise public confidence in the vaccines knowing that it is key for the country to eventually return to normalcy.

“Magtiwala kayo, ‘wag matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon para unti-unti na tayo makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay. Bagama’t may nagiging positibo sa mga bakunado ay protektado naman kayo sa mga malalang sintomas ng sakit,” said Go.

Go further urged those in the priority list of the national vaccination program to get their shots at their nearest vaccination sites so they can be protected against COVID-19. He likewise reminded them to follow the necessary protocols in order to prevent the virus from spreading in their communities especially amid the emergence of a more contagious Delta Variant.

“Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upan malampasan natin ang krisis na ito. Magtulungan, magmalasakit at magbayanihan tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino at, of course, magdasal dahil hindi tayo pababayaan ng Panginoon,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Rep. Abante, Rep. Cayetano, Councilor Princess Abante-Barquia, Councilor Lei Lacuna, barangay officials and barangay workers representatives belonging to the 6th district of Manila City.