Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged authorities to ensure rural health clinics and other healthcare providers have the resources they need to reach vulnerable and underserved communities. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Go reminded national and local officials to work together in ensuring that vaccines reach far-flung communities as well.

As his staff delivered relief to struggling residents in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday, August 16, Go once more appealed to unvaccinated Filipinos belonging to the priority sectors, such as the elderly and those with comorbidities, to get inoculated so they can be protected from COVID-19 and help hasten the attainment of population protection leading to herd immunity.

“So far, so good naman ang overall COVID-19 response natin at rollout ng mga bakuna. Patuloy po sana tayong magtiwala at mag-cooperate sa pamahalaan. Kailangan namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang disiplina ninyo habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna,” said Go.

“Pakiusap, magpabakuna na ang pwedeng magpabakuna. Basta pag dumating ito ay i-deploy at iturok niyo na agad para makamtan na natin ang ‘population protection’… at herd immunity,” he added.

The Senator’s staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 3,000 vulnerable residents, composed of farmers, vendors, public utility drivers and recovering flood victims. The activity was held in batches at the Siay National High School in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, selected beneficiaries were given new pairs of shoes while some received bicycles, a popular alternative commuting method during the pandemic. Others were provided computer tablets to ensure their children have an adequate means of participating in their blended learning activities.

In an effort to cushion the negative impacts of COVID-19, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were likewise present and provided financial assistance in a separate distribution. The Department of Health provided medical check-ups and handed out additional masks while the Department of Agriculture gave away vegetable seeds.

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered skills training to qualified beneficiaries in need of alternative livelihood options. The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry also committed to extend further aid based on their existing assistance programs.

“Daghang nga salamat kay Kuya Bong Go sa imong tabang. Salamat sa among ayuda na dawat. Daku nga tabang alang sa amon kalisod karon sa panahon sa pandemya. Damo nga salamat, Kuya Bong Go. Mabuhay ka!” said Samuel Calledo, a beneficiary.

(Translation: “Maraming salamat kay Kuya Bong Go sa iyong tulong. Salamat sa ayudang aming natanggap. Malaking tulong ito sa aming paghihirap ngayong merong pandemya. Maraming salamat, Kuya Bong Go. Mabuhay ka!”

Continuing his message, the Senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health, offered assistance to the beneficiaries with health concerns. He strongly advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City; Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig; Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, or Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos can conveniently avail of the medical assistance programs offered by the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

“Isinulong ko ang batas na ito para hindi niyo na kailangan lumabas ng ospital para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina. Kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo ‘to sa Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito makahingi ng tulong sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Wala itong pinipili. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka,” explained Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The Senator went on to thank the public officials for their leadership during the pandemic. Among those present were 2nd District Representative Anne Hofer; Governor Wilter Palma; Vice Governor Rey Oligario; and Board Members Richard Olegario, Mujahid Jajurie, Maria Javier, Maria Rillera, and George Castillo.

He also recognized Siay Mayor Jarvis Acosta; Vice Mayor Julius Acosta Jr.; and Councilors Emma Bagaforo, Rogie Enriquez, Cerces Ebol, Jimmy Cañete, Ritchie Paster, Romeo Tenerife, Juan Tumampos, and Joelly Sasota; Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Erlinda Acosta; Association of Barangay Captains President Julius Acosta Sr.; and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Michael Gandi.

To foster infrastructure development and boost economic growth, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the funding for multi-purpose vehicles for various towns and the construction of a river wall along the Sibuguey River from Barangay Minsulao to Barangay Paruk in Siay.

He also supported various infrastructure initiatives in the province, including the improvement of a drainage canal in Alicia; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Alicia, Buug, Imelda, Ipil, Mabuhay, and Talusan; and construction and improvement of existing roads in Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Naga, and Olutanga.

Go likewise supported the funding for the construction of a water system in Imelda; construction of multi-purpose covered courts, acquisition of mini dump truck and an ambulance unit in Ipil; construction of a public market in Mabuhay; construction of street lights in Payao and Titay; and construction of an evacuation center in Talusan.

The Senator’s team previously organized a similar effort for over one thousand flood victims in Imelda on August 12.