SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go encouraged workers to continue supporting the government’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He also acknowledged essential workers and economic frontliners for their continuous services in their communities amid the threats of the ongoing pandemic.

In a video message played during the relief efforts in Roxas City, Dao and Sigma in Capiz on Tuesday, August 24, Go also reminded local governments to take the necessary steps to provide workers the support and protection they need at this time.

“Mga kababayan, alam po namin na nahihirapan kayo pero kailangan namin ang kooperasyon ninyo. Hindi biro na naka-mask at face shield tayo parati at bawal maghawakan pero pakiusap, sumunod muna tayo so gobyerno. Huwag kayong mag-alala dahil malalampasan din natin ang krisis na ito basta’t nagtutulungan at nagmamalasakit tayo,” reassured Go.

“Kung may maitutulong pa kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, sabihan niyo lang kami at tutulungan namin kayo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Walang tulog ang aming serbisyo, lalo na sa panahong pinaka-nangangailangan ang mga Pilipino,” he vowed.

The Senator’s staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 11,387 essential workers, divided into smaller batches, at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center and Capiz State University in Roxas City, Dao Social Hall, and Civic Center in Sigma. The workers consisted of market vendors and members of the local Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association.

Selected recipients were given new shoes while others received bicycles to help them travel amid the limited public transportation options available. Some were provided computer tablets to help their children access educational materials in the absence of regular physical classes.

To help support their daily needs, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave each beneficiary financial assistance through its program for individuals in crisis situations.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, evaluated potential beneficiaries for its scholarship program. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department Labor and Employment also conducted assessments for their livelihood and employment programs, respectively.

“Malaki talaga ang naging epekto ng pandemya. Wala akong trabaho ngayon at may maliit na tindahan lang ako. Kung dati nakakabenta ako ng limang daan sa isang araw, ngayon hindi na nakakaabot ng one hundred. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senador Bong Go para sa tulong niya at makakadagdag ito sa aking tindahan at pangtustos sa bahay,” said Emilia Gadian, 62, a resident of Roxas City.

In his message, the Senator also offered further aid to those needing medical attention. He informed Capizanons that they may avail of medical assistance for their health care needs through the Malasakit Center at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City or at any of the other 136 nationwide.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored, seeks to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the relevant agencies under one roof. The agencies include the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center ng tutulungan. Karapatan niyo ito bilang mga Pilipino. Binabalik namin ang pera niyo sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos at maaasahang serbisyo. Kaya sa mga poor at indigent patients diyan, puntahan niyo na ang Malasakit Center dahil para talaga sa inyo ito,” reassured Go.

The Senator went on to thank various officials for their leadership and service at this time, namely 1st District Representative Emmanuel Billones; 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro; Governor Esteban Evan Contreras II; Vice Governor James Magbanua; Board Member Thea Reyes; Board Member Esteban Jose Contreras; Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and Vice Mayor Erwin Sicad; Dao Mayor Ernesto Escutin and Vice Mayor Joselito Escutin; and Sigma Mayor Christopher Andaya and Vice Mayor Stephen Alayon, among others.

To boost regional development and economic growth in Capiz, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of a five-storey building for the New Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City; concreting or upgrading of roads in Jamindan, Mambusao, Panay, Pilar and Sapian; concreting of the Maayon-Palagian provincial road in Ma-ayon; and rehabilitation and construction of the drainage canal in Tapaz.

He also extended his support for other initiatives, including the construction or repair of a multi-purpose building in Pontevedra and Tapaz; improvement of the Pontevedra public market; purchase of medicines or food assistance for the local governments of Cuartero and President Roxas; and provision of an ambulance or multi-purpose van for Dumarao and President Roxas.

The Senator’s team also provided relief to over 10,000 economic frontliners in Dumarao, Cuartero, Ivisan, Mambusao, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Tapaz, and Pilar from August 20 to 21. The activities were conducted in batches to ensure all health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.