THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go conducted another outreach program in Quezon City to 68 persons with disabilities currently being catered to by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office.

As part of his continuous efforts to help communities recover from the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives and livelihoods, a relief operation was held at the DSWD central office in Quezon City.

Go’s team handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to each beneficiary, while representatives from DSWD granted them financial assistance through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Adhering to the safety and health protocols imposed by the government, the distribution activity was made in small batches to ensure the well-being of the recipients.

Go, in his video message, advised the beneficiaries to continue to follow government-issued health protocols, such as wearing of masks and face shields when in public, regular washing of hands, observing social distancing, and avoiding unessential travels.

He also reassured the beneficiaries that as the national vaccine program now reaches essential sectors in the A4 category, the government will also be prioritizing indigents and other vulnerable sectors belonging in the A5 category soon.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtiwala ho kayo sa gobyerno, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang solusyon o susi natin para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay. At kailangan po dagdagan natin ng kooperasyon at disiplina po ng bawat tao,” Go said.

“Mga kababayan ko, marami pong nawalan ng trabaho, marami pong nagsara na negosyo, at mahirap po ang buhay ngayon dahil po dito sa COVID-19. Itong COVID-19 po ay hindi natin nakikita na kalaban. Bago po itong sakit na ito at pinag-aaralan pa po ng lahat para unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

Jennifer Moradante, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude towards Senator Go and President Rodrigo Duterte, saying, “ang binigay naman po ni Senator Bong Go, sobra po sa amin, para po sa kabuhayan namin ngayon. Kaya maraming salamat po, Senator Bong Go.”

Go remains focused on providing Filipinos convenient access to health services nationwide. He, then, offered additional help to the beneficiaries in need of medical assistance as he encouraged them to visit any of the 23 Malasakit Centers available in Metro Manila if they need aid in their hospital bills. There are 117 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

“Walang pinipili ang tulong mula sa Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, kwalipikado ka. Hindi niyo na kailangan pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang mga opisina para humingi ng tulong pampagamot. Nasa iisang kwarto na sa loob mismo ng ospital ang mga ahensya na handang magserbisyo sa inyo,” he said.

“May special lane rin po ito para sa mga senior citizens at PWDs para hindi kayo mahirapan sa pagkuha ng tulong mula gobyerno para sa inyong pagpapagamot,” he added.

Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, was authored and sponsored by Go. The law mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in hospitals run by the Department of Health and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

Hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee sustainability of the operation of the centers, including its maintenance, personnel and staff training, among others.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 1803, or the e-Health System and Services Act. This measure seeks to set policies and standards to regulate the practice of telemedicine and to recognize e-Health as equal with other healthcare delivery methods.

He concluded his message by thanking the local officials of Quezon City for their unending efforts to rehabilitate and help their community recover amid the national health crisis.