THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its relief efforts to more solo parents and senior citizens in Davao City on Saturday, June 18 as part of the senator’s commitment to support the government’s pandemic response.

The senator’s team distributed grocery packs, meals, vitamins, shirts, and snacks to 1,000 indigents at the respective gymnasiums of Barangays Tapak and Colosas. They also gave away watches, bicycles, shoes, and balls for volleyball and basketball to select recipients.

“Asahan niyo po na hinding hindi po kayo pababayaan ng gobyerno. Ipaglalaban ko po palagi ang inyong kapakanan lalo na po ang ating mga senior citizens at mga solo parents. Basta po patuloy lang din po tayong magbayanihan at magtulungan dahil nais po namin siguraduhin na there should be no Filipino left behind towards recovery,” underscored Go in his video message.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in turn, gave financial assistance to further help the beneficiaries sustain their daily needs while recovering from the challenges caused by the pandemic.

As part of his commitment to ensure that the elderly and solo parents are well-supported even in times of crisis situations, Go continues to push for the enactment of Senate Bills No. 2506 and 1411 which both aim to provide necessary benefits and allowances to the country’s senior citizens and solo parents, respectively.

Go, who serves as the head of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to assist Davaoeños in need of medical care. He encouraged them to visit Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and seek the services of its Malasakit Center.

First established in 2018, the Malasakit Centers are designed to be a one-stop shop for all medical assistance programs offered by the government, including DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The assistance covers laboratories, medicines, surgeries and other patient services and expenses.

“Kung may nararamdaman po kayo, kung sakit man sa puso o kung ano pa pong sakit, ‘wag niyo na pong patagalin pa. Naiintindihan ko po na minsan ay nag-aalangan ang iba na magpatingin sa hospital pero may Malasakit Center na po diyan sa SPMC kaya napakadali na pong kumuha ng tulong galing sa gobyerno,” encouraged Go.

“At kung may pasyente na hindi kayang operahan diyan ay tutulungan namin kayo makapunta sa Maynila. Kami na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang sasalo sa pampa-ospital ninyo pati pamasahe hanggang makauwi kayo,” he reassured.

In the end, Go thanked all of the local officials of the city for their immeasurable service to uplift the lives of every Davaoeño, saying, “Patuloy lang po tayo sa pagtutulungan at patuloy lang po tayo sa paghahatid ng tapat na serbisyo dahil kinakailangan po tayo ng ating mga kababayan lalo na at nasa gitna pa tayo ng krisis.”

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, remains committed to provide all of the necessary support to ensure that the city remains progressing amid the challenges brought about by the global health crisis. In this regard, the senator supported the construction of water systems in Barangays Acacia, Fatima, Mabuhay and San Isidro; and construction or widening of drainage canals in Brgys. Bunawan Proper and Mintal.

He also supported the rehabilitation of multipurpose buildings and local roads in different barangays throughout the city; construction or rehabilitation of drainage systems in Tupaz Outfall and Brgys. Centro, Mudiang and Ubalde; construction of flood control structures in Brgy. 9-A and Datu Loho Creek; and acquisition of ambulance units for Brgys. Mintal, Buhangin and Gatungan.

On the previous day, Go’s team mounted similar activities to 1,500 Davaoeños residing from Fatima, Sumimao, and Malabog in Davao City.