SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go continues to support poor communities nationwide as he had his team deliver assistance to more than a thousand struggling individuals in the cities of Quezon and Marikina.

In his video message, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged eligible residents not to waste their chance to get inoculated and protected from the threats posed by COVID-19. He also reaffirmed that the government continues to roll out vaccines to more far-flung areas so that the country easily attains population protection leading to herd immunity.

He likewise advised the public to continue adhering to the government-issued health protocols, such as wearing masks, regular washing of hands, and observing social distancing.

“Kapag pasok na ho kayo sa priority list ng pagpapabakuna ay magpabakuna na ho kayo. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Importante po protektado kayo,” Go appealed.

“Nasa datos naman po, ‘pag kayo po’y bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa pagkasakit ng COVID-19 o ito pong grabeng pagkasakit ng COVID-19 at maiwasan po ang pagkamatay ‘pag kayo po ay protektado. Ang bakuna lamang ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

Conducted at Barangay Bungad Multipurpose Building in Quezon City and Barangay Tumana Covered Court in Marikina City, Go’s outreach team provided support to a total of 1,227 indigents where they handed out meals and masks.

In addition, select recipients were given new pairs of shoes and computer tablets while others received bicycles to help them conveniently access daily necessities.

Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted the beneficiaries with cash assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The relief operations were held in batches in compliance with the necessary health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of those in attendance.

As part of his advocacy to improve the access to quality health care services, Go offered help to those with medical concerns. He urged them to visit any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila if they may need medical assistance from the government.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health, plus Philippine General Hospital.

Meanwhile, hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee its sustainability for the operation of their centers, including its maintenance, personnel, and staff training, among others. Currently, there are 149 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have assisted over three million Filipinos.

Concluding his message, Go thanked the local officials of the said cities for making certain that their respective communities build back better from the challenges caused by the global health crisis.

“Kaunting tiis lang po, magtulungan lang tayo. Malalampasan din natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Ingat po kayo,” said Go.

“Maraming salamat po sa kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat Pilipino. Iyan lang po ang pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Duterte. Tulungan n’yo po kami, magtulungan lang po tayo,” he ended.
As part of his continuous efforts to provide to those in need, Go’s team previously assisted hundreds of senior citizens in Quezon City and fire victims in the cities of Taguig, Pasig, Parañaque and Marikina.