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IN light of the extraordinary challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Office of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go mounted a relief effort in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on Friday, October 22, for vulnerable households adversely impacted by the crisis.

In a video message during an activity, Go acknowledged that the pandemic has plunged many Filipinos into poverty and vowed to work with the Duterte administration to pursue actions that will ensure the needs of the poor and marginalized are addressed and not forgotten in the path to recovery.

“Unahin natin silang pagsilbihan para mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makabangon muli at maibalik sa normal ang kanilang pamumuhay. Sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan, kayo ang palagi naming uunahin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para matulungan kayo malampasan ang krisis na ito (Let us prioritize the service for the poor to provide them the opportunity to recover and eventually return to their normal way of living. President Duterte and I will always prioritize those who are most in need. We will do everything to help you overcome this crisis),” he vowed.

The senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,550 residents at the Manuel Lugod Central School. Selected residents were given new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets for children’s blended learning activities.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) handed out financial and livelihood assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and Sustainable Livelihood programs, respectively. The Department of Agriculture also gave away seedlings.

The Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, conducted assessments for their various assistance programs.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, the distributions were carried out in batches, in strict observance of the health protocols against Covid-19.

A similar operation was also held in Talisayan and Cagayan de Oro City earlier that week, in which Go’s staff provided relief to hundreds of indigent residents and hog farmers, respectively.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to those with urgent medical concerns. He strongly advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center or J.R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance programs offered by the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which aims to reduce the hospital bills of poor and indigent patients to the lowest amount possible. It brings together the national agencies which offer medical assistance, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

The program was institutionalized under Republic Act 11463, also known as the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019,” which Go principally authored and sponsored. It has assisted some three million patients nationwide since its launch in 2018.

Go concluded his message thanking Mayor Erick Cañosa and other local officials for their proactive action in mitigating the spread and impact of the pandemic in the city.