COMMITTED to provide necessary aid to vulnerable sector groups, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the public to prioritize their health as the government continues to balance the country’s economic and health concerns amid the pandemic. He assured them that the Duterte administration continues to improve access to medical assistance and services through various initiatives such as the Malasakit Centers Program.

In his video message during the relief efforts conducted in Giporlos and Quinapondan, Eastern Samar on Monday, October 18, Senator Go informed the public that they can conveniently avail medical assistance programs offered in the Malasakit Center at Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City.

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. The law aims to assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their hospital bills and other health-related concerns.

“Huwag kayong matakot pumunta sa ospital kung wala kayong pera. Nasa loob na ng isang opisina ang mga ahensya, tulad ng DSWD, DOH, PCSO, at PhilHealth, na tutulungan kayo para wala na kayong babayaran. Kung may balanseng naiwan, may pondong iniwan din si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para kung kaya ay magiging ‘zero balance’ ang billing niyo,” said Go.

The senator then urged the residents to continue supporting the government’s vaccination efforts by participating in the national inoculation program.

“Mga kababayan, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagbabakuna ng mga senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners at mga indigent. Magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo at maiiwasan niyo ang mga grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19. Huwag magkumpiyansa at may mas delikadong variant na tinatawag na Delta variant,” said Go.

Go’s outreach team handed out relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to a total of 2,000 vulnerable residents. The team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected recipients, as well as computer tablets for classes under the blended learning setup.

To safeguard the well-being of everyone, Go’s staff implemented necessary safety and health protocols and grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches while they held the activities at Giporlos Civic Center and Quinapondan Municipal Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial support through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority determined qualified beneficiaries for their respective support programs.

Lawrence Cajipo, a 19-year-old student, expressed his optimism that despite his disability, he will remain focused on finishing his studies even at the height of the pandemic.

He then expressed his gratitude towards Senator Go, saying “Salamat po kay Senator Go at sana po ay marami pa po kayong matulungan, lalo na po ngayong kasagsagan ng pandemya.”

In line with his commitment to help boost the economic opportunities of the said communities, Senator Go, as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported several projects, including the acquisition of an ambulance unit and construction of a road in Quinapondan, and the construction of a farm-to-market road in Giporlos.

Other projects he supported throughout the province are the rehabilitation of local roads in Balangkayan, Jipapad, Lawaan, Maslog, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft; construction of the Borongan Community Hospital and construction of a slope protection structure in Borongan City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Jipapad, Maydolong, and Oras; construction of a slaughterhouse in Maydolong; improvement of the drainage systems in Can-Avid; and acquisition of an ambulance unit for the local government of Maslog.

The senator then commended the local officials of Giporlos and Quinapondan for supporting their constituents during these challenging times.

“Mga kababayan ko, mag-ingat po tayo. Magdasal po tayo, magtulungan po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Nandidito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he ended.

Go’s outreach team also gave similar forms of assistance to more underprivileged communities in Borongan City, Dolores, Maydolong, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Hernani, and Mercedes.