AS the government continues to balance the protection of health and the well-being of Filipinos with economic recovery efforts, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go warned the public to be more vigilant now especially with the emergence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 which is found to be more contagious. He also emphasized that the government’s top objective is to save lives.

“Huwag po tayo magkumpyansa lalo na’t may local transmission na ng Delta variant. Patuloy po tayong mag-ingat, sumunod sa mga patakaran, at makipagtulungan sa ating gobyerno,” he stressed.

“Ang inyong disiplina, kooperasyon at malasakit sa kapwa ay importante para malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok na ito,” he added.

According to Go, the country’s enforcement of health protocols, which include testing, contact tracing, and isolation, among other components of COVID-19 response measures, must be tightened further together with the implementation of stricter border controls and more enhanced health service delivery.

“Dito naman sa atin, dapat mas higpitan ang pagpapatupad ng mga kasalukuyang health and safety protocols, katulad ng tamang pagsusuot ng mask at face shield, palaging paghuhugas ng kamay, pagsunod sa social distancing at hindi paglabas ng bahay kung hindi naman kinakailangan.”

Go also encouraged economic frontliners especially public transport workers to get vaccinated since they are eligible as part of the A4 priority group under the national vaccination program.

“Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he said.

Meanwhile, Go’s team conducted two more separate distribution activities on July 22 and 23 to aid 2,000 Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members in Caloocan City as part of his efforts to extend aid to the transport sector workers whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Go conducted two separate distribution activities on July 6 and July 8 to aid a thousand Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members. He personally visited them on June 30.

During the most recent distribution effort, the Senator, in a video message to the beneficiaries, thanked the tricycle drivers and operators for continuing to work for their families and serve their communities in these trying times.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Napakahirap. Marami pong nawalan ng trabaho, marami pong nagsara na negosyo, ‘yung mga ruta ninyo medyo hirap po talaga. Magtulungan lang po tayo,” Go expressed.

The relief operations were held at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School on July 22, and at Grace Park Elementary School on July 23 where Go’s staff grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches and implemented necessary safety and health protocols to safeguard the well-being of the TODA members as they were provided with meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

The Senator also provided computer tablets to select beneficiaries to help their children participate better in their classes under the blended learning set-up. In addition, some beneficiaries were also provided with new pairs of shoes while others received bicycles.

“Sa mga estudyante, sa mga anak n’yo po, mag-aral sana sila nang mabuti. Sila po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito,” expressed Go.

Daisy Gamboa, one of the beneficiaries who received a pair of shoes, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Go for the assistance.

“Salamat, Presidente Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go, sa ibinigay ninyo. Malaking tulong po ang naibigay ninyo sa amin ngayong pandemya,” Gamboa said.

“Natutuwa ako sa sapatos na natanggap ko. Maraming maraming salamat po,” she added.

Additionally, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave each beneficiary financial assistance through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reminded residents that there is a Malasakit Center in their city located at the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital that they may visit if they may need medical assistance. To date, there are 130 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act in the Senate which was enacted into law in 2019.

To improve public service delivery in the city of Caloocan, Go supported the funding of the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bgy. 171 and Bgy. 175.

Go recognized Council for the Welfare of Children head, Undersecretary Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Representative Along Malapitan, Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, and other local government officials for their determination to help their community recover amid economic challenges caused by the health crisis.

“Mga kababayan ko dito sa Caloocan, kami po ang magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyong lahat. Kaya hinding-hindi namin sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ‘yan,” Go ended.