Senda aid to indigents in Samal Island

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reiterated his appeal to the government to further strengthen its inoculation efforts in more remote communities nationwide as he continues to aid more Samaleños amid the pandemic.

On Tuesday, May 10, Senator Go’s outreach team mounted three different distributions to 452 vulnerable residents, composed of solo parents, fisherfolk, and senior citizens, in Barangays Del Monte, Cawag, and San Jose in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

“Mga kababayan ko, tandaan po natin na delikado pa rin po ang COVID-19. Kaya dapat po talaga protektado po kayo. Sa ating national government, siguraduhin po natin na mabigyan natin ng bakuna ang lahat ng LGUs para marami pong Pilipino ang protektado,” Go urged in a video message.

“Ngayon po na magkakaroon po tayo ng bagong lider, umaapela rin po ako na ipagpatuloy o pagandahin pa ninyo lalo ang pandemic efforts na nasimulan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Magtulungan tayong lahat para malampasan natin ang krisis na ito,” he continued.

Go’s team conducted the relief activities at the respective barangay halls and implemented necessary health protocols against COVID-19.

The team handed out grocery packs, vitamins, shirts, meals, and masks to the residents. They also gave bicycles, phablets, shoes, and watches to select individuals.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development representatives extended financial support through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The senator also offered additional assistance to Samaleños with health concerns. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City or Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where agencies such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation are brought together in one office to assist indigent Filipinos in lowering their medical expenses. Currently, there are 151 operational centers nationwide. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act.

Continuing his message, Go recognized the local officials of Samal Island for their hard work and determination to provide the necessary support to their struggling constituents.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan po tayo, magbayanihan at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Malalampasan po natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” the senator ended.

Go, who is also the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported several projects to help boost the island city’s economic recovery, including the construction of the road at the Port of Brgy. Sta. Cruz to Brgy. Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District; the road from Crossing Toril to Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road from San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District.

He also supported the water system projects 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.

To ensure that Samaleños have better access to health services, the senator also supported the construction of the IGACOS Super Health Center.

Other initiatives he supported in Davao del Norte are the 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. On May 5, Go personally visited the island and provided similar assistance to 1,900 Samaleños.