PASAY CITY, July 4 -- On Wednesday, June 30, farmers and fisherfolk in Pilar and General Luna, in Siargao island, Surigao del Norte received assistance from Senator Christopher "Bong" Go as part of his efforts to help various sectors cope with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go's staff organized separate distribution activities at Pilar National High School in Pilar, and at General Luna Municipal Gym in General Luna for around 100 beneficiaries at each venue while strictly implementing the necessary safety and health protocols.

"Mga kababayan, magtulungan lang tayo. Alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon at maraming apektado na mga farmers, na mga fisherfolk dahil dito sa krisis na kinakaharap natin. Magbayanihan tayo at magmalasakit sa kapwa para malampasan ang mga pagsubok na ito," Go expressed in his message to the residents.

The beneficiaries, then, received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins from Go's outreach team. There were also selected recipients who were given new pairs of shoes and bicycles.

Lito Merly, one of the fishermen, said that the bicycle he received will be of great help for him to go to his work or get their family's daily needs, saying "nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go, lalo na sa ating Presidente, maraming salamat dahil mayroon na akong pang-service pag namimili ako."

The Senator also gave computer tablets to selected recipients to help their children participate better during their classes under the blended learning set-up.

Also in his video message, Go expressed his appreciation towards various government agencies for providing additional assistance to help the farmers and fisherfolk overcome the difficulties caused by the crisis on their lives and livelihoods.

Financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was given to each beneficiary, while the Department of Agriculture provided vegetable seeds.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment conducted an assessment where qualified individuals may benefit from their respective livelihood programs.

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated beneficiaries who will be given scholarship grants and the opportunity to take part in their livelihood and skills training.

Furthermore, the beneficiaries in Pilar were also provided with medicines from the Department of Health.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar was also present during the relief activities and led the provision of financial assistance to the farmers and fisherfolk through the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program.

The AHON Convergence Program is an inter-agency initiative to extend aid and social services to the most-affected communities in times of calamities, emergencies and as part of the response to assist families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Go encouraged the public to support the national vaccine program and get vaccinated once eligible in accordance with the rollout guidelines of the government especially for economic frontliners.

"Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong mga pamilya magpabakuna na rin po kayo. Dahil 'yan po ang susi o proteksyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay," Go said.

"Ang importante po ay 'yung population protection at herd immunity po ngayong taong ito para naman po makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay at bumalik muli ang sigla ng ating ekonomiya," added Go.

To further provide underprivileged communities easy access to quality healthcare services, Go informed those needing medical attention that there will now be a Malasakit Center in the Island as the newly opened Center was launched in Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa this Saturday, July 3. This is the 125th Malasakit Center established nationwide.

The center is a one-stop shop designed for Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, to give them convenient access to medical programs offered by DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

To help Siargao Island and boost its development, Go has also helped in the funding of several infrastructure projects in the island. In Pilar, the Senator extended his support in the water system rehabilitation, national roads reconstruction, and many others; while there will be several road concretion and possible expansion of Paseo de Cabuntog and Municipal Park in General Luna, among others.

Go also sponsored in the Senate a bill that became Republic Act No. 11500 which upgraded the capabilities of Siargao District Hospital and renamed it as Siargao Island Medical Center. Under RA No. 11500, the hospital will be placed under the supervision of the DOH, its bed capacity will also increase from 50 to 100 beds. The law also mandates the upgrade of its professional heathcare services and facilities, and authorizes the increase of its medical personnel.

Go, then, acknowledged Representative Francisco Jose "Bingo" Matugas, Governor Francisco Matugas, Pilar Mayor Atty. Maria Liza Resurreccion and Vice Mayor Edito Salvaloza, General Luna Mayor Cecilia Rusillon and Vice Mayor Veronico Solloso, and many others, for their continuous support to struggling sectors amid the pandemic.

"Sana makatulong ito sa pag-unlad ng inyong probinsya. Magdasal po tayo at lagi ninyong tandaan na mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte. Lagi po kayong mag-iingat mga kapitbahay ko diyan sa Surigao Del Norte," ended Go." (OSBG)

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