SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go once again visited the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte on Thursday, May 12, and personally checked on the situation of more struggling Samaleños to ensure that they will receive much needed support during these trying times.

“Sa mga taga-Samal, gagawin ko lang ang lahat ng aking makakaya. Hindi ako pulitiko na mangangako sa inyo na kaya kong gawin ito. Gagawin ko lang ang lahat para makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Sa abot ng aking makakaya, tutulong ako,” Go told the residents.

The senator personally led the distribution of food packs, vitamins, masks, meals and shirts to a total of 2,417 residents, composed of solo parents, fisherfolk and senior citizens, from Barangays Tagbitan-ag, Peñaplata and Catagman. He also gave select individuals new shoes, bicycles, phablets, volleyballs, basketballs and watches.

The activities were held at the respective barangay covered courts, in compliance with the mandated health protocols against COVID-19.

Moreover, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended cash assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Continuing his remarks, Go urged the eligible Samaleños to get their complete doses and booster shots against COVID-19, saying, “Makikiusap kami ni Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte sa inyo kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang tanging susi o solusyon para dahan-dahan tayong makakabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay.”

The senator then encouraged those in need of medical assistance to reach out to his office. He also reminded them that there are nearby Malasakit Centers ready to help them with their medical expenses. The closest centers are located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.

The Malasakit Center aims to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible to Filipinos by bringing the relevant agencies together, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Siguro nagtataka kayo bakit Mr. Malasakit ‘yan, bakit nga ba nila ako tinawag na Mr. Malasakit? Dahil ako ang nagsulong nito noon at pinirmahan ni Presidente Duterte. Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop at mayroon na tayong 151 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong,” shared Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Huwag kayong matakot sa bayarin. Ganyan kasi ang sakit natin minsan, takot sa babayarin sa cancer, operasyon sa puso. Kapag masakit ang puso niyo, huwag niyo nang patagalin, magpa-check na kayo… Dialysis, kami na ang magbabayad,” Go reassured.

To ensure that Samaleños continue to receive quality healthcare, the senator also supported the construction of the IGACOS Super Health Center.

Meanwhile, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has likewise supported various initiatives in the island city, including the water system project in Brgys. Pangubatan, Libertad, San Remigio, Kinawitnon and Miranda; construction of bypass road Jct. Babak-Samal-Kaputian Road Brgy. San Antonio, Tagpopongan, Phase 2, IGACOS Circumferential Road; and the construction of a two-story multipurpose building and a farm-to-market road in Brgy. Tambo.

He likewise supported the construction of several roads, including the road from Crossing Toril, Babak to Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; the road from San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road at the Port of Brgy. Sta. Cruz to Brgy. Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District.

Other initiatives he supported in the province are the rechanneling of a river, construction of a river wall, and concreting of the Sitio Bunsalag to Sitio Misulok-Sulok road in Talaingod; construction of a concrete revetment along the Tagum-Libuganon River Basin and dike along the Sadpudon Creek in Carmen; construction of multipurpose buildings in Kapalong and New Corella; and renovation of the public terminal, public parks and plaza in New Corella.

The previous day, May 11, Go and his staff also assisted 1,763 residents affected by the ongoing pandemic in Brgys. Aundanao, Licup and Tagdaliao.

“Magtulungan lang tayo. Nasa krisis pa tayo ngayon. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang naman na kapwa nating Pilipino. Ako, pangako ko sa inyo, kahit saan kayo sa Pilipinas, basta kung kaya lang ng aking katawan ay pupuntahan ko kayo,” he reiterated.