SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed in a video message during a series of relief activities for displaced workers in Bangar and Luna, La Union on Thursday, February 17 that the government continues to help struggling sectors to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

The senator’s staff distributed masks and meals to 140 displaced workers at the Municipal Hall Evacuation Center in Bangar and National High School in Luna. Meanwhile, the team also provided select recipients with computer tablets, an essential tool for their children’s blended learning activities.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development then granted each displaced worker livelihood grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Continuing his message, Go cited that the government continues to balance the public’s safety and economic interest so that the country easily attains economic recovery. He then advised the displaced workers to use the assistance they received to improve their way of living even in the height of the crisis.

“Mga kababayan, magtulungan at magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa. Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang mabalanse ang ekonomiya at ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

“Ngayon, tuturuan at bibigyan kayo ng gobyerno ng puhunan sa pagnenegosyo. Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo. Masarap sa pakiramdam ‘pag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan niyo ang inyong kita. Sana gamitin niyo ito sa tama at dalhin niyo ang kita ninyo sa inyong mga pamilya,” continued Go.

The senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to the beneficiaries with medical concerns as he advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from relevant government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The centers have now benefited more than three million Filipinos nationwide.

In line with his commitment to help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity, Go likewise encouraged the public to take advantage of free vaccines against COVID-19 to get themselves protected from the virus.

“Huwag n’yo pong sayangin ang oportunidad. Kung ano po ‘yung bakuna na nasa harapan ninyo, magpabakuna na po kayo,” he emphasized.

“Libre naman po itong bakuna mula sa gobyerno. Pinaghirapan po ng gobyerno kunin itong mga bakuna kaya po pakiusap lang, huwag n’yo na pong sayangin ang oportunidad,” Go continued.

Go concluded his message by thanking all of the local leaders of the respective municipalities and asked them to continue their service as their constituents need them more than ever at this time of crisis.

Being Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the funding of several projects in the province, including the acquisition of a truck, an ambulance, and a multi-purpose vehicle for the local government of Bangar; construction and improvement of roads in Aringay, Bagulin, Burgos, Naguilan, Rosario, and San Gabriel; construction of multi-purpose centers in Caba and San Fernando City; construction of slope protection in Bacnotan; and the acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles and rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Balaoan.

In line with his efforts to improve the quality of the country’s healthcare system, Go had earlier sponsored Republic Act No. 11562 which increased the bed capacity of the Rosario District Hospital. He likewise sponsored Senate Bill No. 2342 which seeks to increase the bed capacity of the ITRMC from 300 to 800 beds.

The activities were conducted following the recent relief operations in Balaoan, San Gabriel, San Fernando City, Naguilan, Caba, Bauang, Aringay, Agoo, Pugo, Tubao, Rosario, and Santo Tomas for more displaced workers in the province.