SENATOR and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go reminded the public to remain vigilant and continue adhering to the mandated health protocols against COVID-19 especially during this holiday season.

In a video message during the relief operations for the vulnerable residents in Julita and Mayorga, Leyte on Thursday, December 9, Go warned against the looming threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible once eligible.

“Huwag nating isantabi ang basic protocols, tulad ng pagsuot ng mask, paghugas ng kamay, pag-obserba ng social distancing, at pananatili sa loob ng bahay kung hindi naman kailangang lumabas. Paulit-ulit na ito, kung hindi tayo susunod, mas mahihirapan tayo,” reminded Go.

“Higit sa lahat, magtiwala tayo sa national vaccine program at magpabakuna na kaagad ayon sa priority order na ipinapatupad. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagdating ng bakuna at pinapabilis natin ang rollout nito upang marating natin ang herd immunity sa mga komunidad sa lalong madaling panahon,” he continued.

The senator’s staff distributed snacks and masks to a total of 1,000 residents at the Barangay Dita covered court in Julita and Mayorga municipal gymnasium. The activities were conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the government-issued protocols against COVID-19.

Select beneficiaries also received computer tablets to help their children participate better in their blended learning activities, while some were provided with new pairs of shoes or bicycles for their daily transportation needs.

Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance to the residents under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also conducted assessments for those seeking alternative livelihood opportunities.

“Sobrang hirap ako nung nagka-pandemya. In my case, bumagsak ‘yung organs ko. Halos wala kaming makain, wala kaming pambili ng gamot, wala akong pang-doktor. Mahirap din pumunta ng ospital dahil lockdown. So, ‘yun ‘yung pinagdaanan ‘ko. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa din ako nakaka-recover,” shared Wamalia Lopez, 60.

“Sa ating mahal na President (Rodrigo) Duterte at Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat sa inyong dalawa. Malaki po ang naitutulong niyo sa aming mahihirap. Maganda ang inyong samahan at alam namin na marami pa kayong maitutulong sa buong bansa,” she added.

In line with his commitment to improve access to healthcare, Go offered additional assistance to poor and indigent patients. He also informed them of the Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop which aims to reduce a patient’s hospital bill through the medical assistance programs of DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Sa mga pasyente dito, hindi niyo na kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” explained Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

There are currently 149 centers nationwide, the nearest of which are located at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Ormoc District Hospital, and Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo.

To conclude, the senator recognized various public officials for their continued support to their constituents such as 2nd District Representative Lolita Javier, Governor Leopoldo Petilla, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Julita Mayor Percival Caña and Vice Mayor German Macaso, and Mayorga Mayor Alexander De Paz and Vice Mayor Jairo Beltran.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported many initiatives to promote infrastructure development in Leyte. These include the concreting of the local roads in Barangay Liberty and farm-to-market road in Barangay Sta. Cruz in Mayorga.

He also supported the rehabilitation of the roads along the JNR – Makinhas – Ciabu – Monterico and JNR – Hilongos – Liberty – Conception – Bagumbayan – Hampangan – Cacao – Utanan road sections, and the installation of LED solar road studs along the Daang Maharlika Road.

Other major initiatives are the construction of multipurpose buildings in Abuyog, Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Sante Fe and Tolosa; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of an evacuation center in Abuyog and Merida; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan, Tolosa and Baybay City; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Inopacan, Isabel and Villaba.

To improve the delivery of health services in the province, Go previously sponsored and successfully pushed for the passage of two measures in the Senate which increased the bed capacity of the EVRMC and converted the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC.

Similar distribution activities were conducted for 1,000 residents in MacArthur and Javier the previous day, December 8.