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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended aid to 4,000 residents in Libaco and Madalag, Aklan on Friday, October 15. In his video message, the senator appealed to the beneficiaries to stay vigilant and cooperative as he reassured that the government is intensifying its vaccine efforts in order to protect more Filipinos against COVID-19.

He then urged the public to get inoculated as soon as vaccines arrive in their community as this would help the country return to normalcy. Senator Go likewise asked local leaders to assist elderly in availing the vaccines as they are known to be more prone to the virus.

“Mga kababayan ko, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagbabakuna. Kapag nasa priority list na po, frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners ay puwede na hong magpabakuna,” Go reminded.

“Pero habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, huwag maging kumpiyansa. Inuulit ko, disiplina po ang kailangan. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno— mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay,” he continued.

Go’s team conducted two separate relief efforts at Hanlud Multipurpose Pavement in Libacao, and Madalag Civic Cultural Center in Madalag where they implemented the government’s recommended safety and health protocols to ensure public’s safety against the virus.

The outreach team grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches while they handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. They also gave some recipients new pairs of shoes and bicycles.

Furthermore, the senator provided computer tablets to select residents so that their children could easily access the educational materials they need for their classes under the blended learning approach implemented in schools.

“Mga kabataan, ito pong computer tablet, gamitin n’yo po sa pag-aaral. Kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bansang ito. Sasaya po ang inyong mga magulang ‘pag nakapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral,” Go expressed.

To help them sustain their basic and daily needs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave each beneficiary financial assistance.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated potential beneficiaries and gave them livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively.

Lastly, personnel from the Department of Agriculture distributed livelihood grants under its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program.

Go, being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the importance of looking after one’s health as he encouraged the beneficiaries to visit the Malasakit Center in Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo should they need medical assistance.

Signed into law in 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Malasakit Center aims to give Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, easy access to medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These concerned agencies are tasked to assist patients to reduce their hospital expenses to the lowest amount possible.

Senator Go then lauded the local government officials, including Representative Carlito Marquez, Governor Florencio Miraflores, Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa and Vice Mayor Vincent Navarosa, and Madalag Mayor Dindo Gubatina and Vice Mayor Rex Gubatina, for their continuous efforts to ensure that their community builds back better from the challenges caused by the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the senator supported various infrastructure initiatives in the province to boost its economic development. Among these projects are the rehabilitation of a public park in Libacao, and Altavas; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Buruanga, and Kalibo; rehabilitation of roads in Makato; construction of a two-storey building for Ibajay District Hospital, and improvement of the Ibajay Municipal Park in Ibajay.

He also supported the reconstruction of Kalibo Public Market; construction of an evacuation center and improvement of slaughterhouse in Numancia; and acquisition and installation of streetlights in Tangalan.

To further support more struggling communities of Aklan, Go’s staff previously gave similar assistance to thousands of residents of Lezo, Malinao, Batan, Altavas, Balete, New Washington, Kalibo, and Banga.