SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s office mounted a distribution activity in Pagsanjan, Laguna on Wednesday, February 16. Go’s outreach team gave assistance to a thousand boatmen as part of the senator’s commitment to assist more pandemic-affected sectors.

In his video message, Go gave recognition to the boatmen who continue to work hard and fulfill their obligations to their families even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He then promised that together with concerned agencies, he will continue to initiate and support programs that would significantly benefit the tourism sector of the country.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” said Go.

The relief operation was conducted at Laguna Sports Complex Gymnasium in the town of Sta. Cruz where Go’s team distributed masks and meals while they strictly followed necessary health protocols.

They also gave new pairs of shoes and computer tablets to select recipients while the team gave others bicycles for a more convenient commute.

Through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in turn, gave its own financial assistance to help them sustain their daily needs amid the pandemic.

The senator then reached out to those with medical concerns and advised them to visit any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province where concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, will assist them to reduce their medical bills to the lowest amount possible.

The Malasakit Centers are located at Laguna Medical Center in Santa Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital.

“Kung hindi po kayang operahan dito sa inyong probinsya, kami na po bahala. Huwag na kayong mag-alala sa bayarin ninyo sa Maynila, kami na ang bahala sa pamasahe ninyo, sa bayarin ninyo sa ospital, kami na ang magbabayad,” he added.

The senator, who is also an adopted son of CALABARZON, then reassured the boatmen that his office is always open to hear their concerns and address them, saying, “Patuloy ang aking opisina sa paghatid ng serbisyo. Alam ko mahirap ang panahon ngayon, marami ang nawalan ng trabaho marami ang nagsara na negosyo, pati dito marami ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay.”

“Gusto ko lang malaman ninyo na si Presidente Duterte ay nandito lang kami na handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya magtulungan lang tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang naman mga kapwa natin Pilipino,” he added.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, expressed his support to numerous projects in Laguna that aim to boost its economic development amid health crisis. Among the projects are the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Santa Cruz and Santa Maria; the construction of slaughterhouses in Mabitac, Nagcarlan and Pagsanjan; and the construction of public markets in Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan and Rizal.

He also supported the construction of a farm-to-market road and a multi-purpose covered court in Paete; construction of a drainage canal in Cabuyao City; repair of the primary road inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Santa Rosa City; and installation of street lights in Lumban and Magdalena.

Concluding his message, Go thanked the local officials for their hard work amid difficult times and further appealed to continue their service to their constituents until the country fully recovers.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay narito lang po handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po, magtulungan lang tayo malalampasan rin natin ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” Go ended.

On February 11, Go’s team conducted a similar distribution activity in San Pablo City for 1,000 solo parents.