SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go repeated his appeal to the government to give the members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) cash incentives, instead of making vaccination mandatory, to help improve the vaccination rate among the poorest of the poor.

“Hindi puwedeng may maiwan sa ating muling pagbangon, lalo na ‘yung pinakamahihirap at pinaka-nangangailangan. Sa dagdag ayuda na ito, matutulungan po natin sila sa kabuhayan, makakapagligtas pa tayo ng buhay at mapapabilis ang pagbalik natin sa normal na pamumuhay,” he explained.

“Sa palagay ko, sa halip na gawing mandatory ang vaccination, dapat palakasin na lang natin ang panghihikayat sa ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna,” added Go.

Go proposed that all qualified members of the 4Ps household must be fully vaccinated to receive the proposed additional incentive.

“Nanawagan ako kay Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na magbigay tayo ng cash incentives para maengganyo ang 4Ps members na magpabakuna. Government should reach out to them. Naghihirap na ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan; huwag na natin silang pahirapan o pilitin pa. Tulungan at ipaintindi na lang natin sa kanila bakit mahalaga ang bakuna. Kung kailangang suyurin, suyurin natin,” Go added.

Meanwhile, in a speech during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Presidentiables Forum held on November 18 at the 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, Go emphasized the importance of education in sustaining the country’s economic recovery.

“We have to identify the ten million poorest of the poor Filipinos and provide them with financial assistance and jobs. We will strive to ensure that they will have at least one graduate per family,” suggested Go.

As a presidential aspirant, Go said that if elected, he will build on the accomplishments of the Duterte Administration and will see to it that each family will have at least one college graduate.

“We must invest in human capital development, including health and education systems,” said Go

“The Duterte Administration ensured greater access to quality education and training. RA 10931, also known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” signed by President Duterte, successfully provides underprivileged Filipino students the opportunity to pursue college degrees through free tuition and exemption from other fees in state colleges and universities. Isa ito sa mga legacies ng Duterte Administration na kailangan nating ipagpatuloy,” he cited.

An estimated 1.6 million poor Filipino students are now in school without paying for their tuition and miscellaneous fees because of the government’s Free Higher Education program.

“Sa lahat ng ito, sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon bilang isang mas matatag na bansa,” Go assured.

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Bong Go pushes for improved agripreneurship programs

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s team conducted a series of distribution efforts on Tuesday, November 16 in Burgos, Pilar, and Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte for 1,810 recipients, composed of farmers and fisherfolks, as part of the senator’s pledge to help Filipinos whose livelihoods are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his video message during the activities held at the towns’ respective covered courts, the senator urged the public to exercise discipline and remain supportive of the government as it continues to develop and implement programs intended to boost the country’s economic recovery amid the ongoing national health crisis.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Ginagawa po lahat ng gobyerno para po malampasan natin itong krisis na ito,” said Go.

As the government expands vaccination roll-out to the general public, the senator reiterated his appeal to unvaccinated Filipinos belonging to priority sectors to get inoculated immediately to hasten the country’s return to normalcy.

Likewise, the senator advised the public to remain compliant with health preventive measures against COVID-19, such as avoiding unnecessary travels, constant washing of hands, wearing of masks when in public and maintaining social distancing.

“Pinag-aaralan po ng gobyerno ngayon na mas maluwag na restriction ‘pag ikaw ay bakunado. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo, libre po itong bakuna. Kung ano po ‘yung bakuna na nasa harapan niyo po, magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo,” Go appealed.

With necessary safety and health protocols strictly observed, Go’s team handed out meals, masks and vitamins to the residents. Go also gave new bicycles to select residents to help them with their commutes. The senator also gave computer tablets to some residents for children to use in their studies under the blended learning approach.

As part of the national government’s response to the crisis, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, committed to extend further aid based on their existing programs upon completing their assessments.

Ending his remarks, the senator advised those with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center at the Caraga Regional Hospital in the said city through which they may conveniently get medical assistance from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go also principally authored and sponsored.

He proceeded to recognize the local officials for their cooperation and help. He vowed his continued support for the people of Surigao City, having previously extended aid to 1,596 residents who were impacted by Typhoon Auring last May 27.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported several infrastructure development initiatives in the province with the aim of providing improved access to economic opportunities and public services. He pushed for the construction of a flood mitigation structure along the Surigao River in Brgy. Trinidad in Surigao City. He also supported the construction of a farm-to-market road in Claver, improvement of Baoy River flood control in Gigaquit, rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Pilar, and many more.

Meanwhile, Go also stressed the need to promote agripreneurship. “Kailangan ang mindset nila ay hindi lang ang pagiging magsasaka at mangingisda. Turuan natin sila at iba pang kasapi ng kanilang pamilya sa pagnenegosyo,” said Go.

“Bigyan natin sila ng dignidad na hindi lang sila pangkaraniwang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Gagawin din natin silang mga negosyante. We must give them free business, skills and technological trainings,” he added.