Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, November 24, has sent aid to hundreds of residents in Tinglayan, Kalinga as part of his commitment to support more vulnerable sectors amid the national health crisis.
“Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said in his video message.
“Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, lalo na ‘yung mga walang matakbuhan, ipaglalaban namin ‘yan hanggang sa huli,” he added.
Go’s staff distributed meals and masks to 202 beneficiaries at the municipal compound in Tinglayan. The team conducted the activity in small batches to comply with necessary health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As an advocate of quality education, Go gave some residents computer tablets to aid their children as they pursue their education under the blended learning setup. The senator also gave away bicycles and new pairs of shoes to others.
In a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood assistance grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Continuing his message, Go, who is also the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged the public to continue following preventive health measures even as COVID-19 cases continue to decline.
He then encouraged the beneficiaries to get vaccinated to hasten the country’s return to normalcy. He reaffirmed that the government continuously rolls out vaccines to more far-flung areas to ensure that no one is left behind in the path to recovery.
The senator also offered assistance to those who require medical care and advised them to visit any of the Malasakit Centers in the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
The centers are located at Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center and Conner District Hospital, both in Apayao; Benguet General Hospital and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, both in Benguet; and Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital and Bontoc General Hospital, both in Mountain Province.
First established in Cebu City in 2018, the Malasakit Center brings together the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to help particularly poor and indigent patients by covering their hospital and medical-related expenses.
“Kung mayroon ho kayong mga pasyente sa (Philippine) Heart Center, sa NKTI, sa Maynila, magsabi lang po kayo. Nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go offered.
As the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go also aims to boost the economic development of the province despite the pandemic. He extended his support for several projects such as the construction of farm-to-market roads and installation of streetlights in Tinglayan. He also supported road improvements in Balbalan and Pinukpuk; construction of farm-to-market roads in Balbalan and Tanudan; and acquisition of an ambulance unit for and installation of streetlights in Rizal.
The senator also commended the local government officials for their service and support to their constituents.
“Makikita mo po ang Pilipino po ‘pag nagtutulungan kakayanin po nating malampasan itong krisis na ating kinakaharap. Hindi po namin kaya ni Pangulong Duterte ito. Kailangan namin ang tulong ng bawat Pilipino,” Go ended. TNF