PASAY CITY, July 4 -- On Friday, July 2, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go sent aid to hundreds of out-of-school youth and displaced young workers in Tagbilaran City, Bohol as part of his commitment to help in the recovery of various sectors amid the adverse impact of the pandemic on their lives and livelihoods.

Go's staff facilitated the distribution activity at Brgy. Dao Gym where 194 beneficiaries were grouped into smaller batches while they followed the safety and health protocols imposed by the government. The beneficiaries, then, received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins from the Senator's team.

Some beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes from Go, while others received bicycles. As Go is dedicated to help more indigent students finish their education amid crisis, he also sent computer tablets to help some of the young workers or their children easily access educational materials.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each beneficiary with financial assistance. The Department of Labor and Employment, in turn, also extended assistance under their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed those who may be eligible for their various livelihood and skills training programs.

In a video message, Go reiterated the importance of getting inoculated as he encouraged Filipinos to take part in the vaccination program. He also mentioned that the government is continuously rolling out the vaccines to the A4 and A5 categories as he reassured that the government is exerting all efforts to secure and provide sufficient vaccines for Filipinos.

"Importante po ang target natin, makamit natin ang herd immunity ngayong taong ito. Iyan po ang kailangan para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay at sumigla muli ang ating ekonomiya," said Go.

In an interview, Efren Bustamante, a TUPAD beneficiary, shared his struggles during the pandemic. He also mentioned that he will get vaccinated once he is scheduled for inoculation.

"Hirap, wala ng ibang pagkakakitaan kundi dagat na lang. Kakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw pero ngayon dalawa na lang. Magpapabakuna ako pero hindi pa dumarating sa amin," he said. Bustamante, then, thanked Duterte, Go, and other government agencies for the assistance he received.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa national agencies, kay Senador Bong Go, kay Presidente Duterte, DSWD at DTI… Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila dahil binigyan kami ng ganitong TUPAD, ipambibili ng bigas, ulam at gastusin sa bahay," he added.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Health extended additional aid to beneficiaries with health concerns as he advised them that they may seek medical attention at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City and Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay, Bohol where there are Malasakit Centers that are ready to cover and assist in their medical expenses.

To ensure better and efficient access to healthcare services, the Senator principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Since the first Malasakit Center was launched in 2018, there are now 125 Malasakit Centers which have served over two million Filipinos nationwide.

As Go acknowledged the hardships the country is facing, he expressed his gratitude towards the local government officials who continue to extend their help in the recovery of their community amid crisis situations. Among the officials were Representative Edgar Chatto, Governor Arthur Yap, Vice Governor Rene Relampagos, Mayor Baba Yap, Vice Mayor Toto Veloso, and many others.

He also said that he continues to support projects in Tagbilaran City that will improve the lives of Boholanos, including the construction and renovation of a multi-purpose building and Cogon Public Market; and the construction of the Regional Cultural Hub, among others.

"Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno. Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte, ginagawa po namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap sa ngayon," Go ended. (OSBG)

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