PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stressed that the government has ensured that available COVID-19 vaccines in the country meet the international benchmarks for safety and efficacy as he urged the public to get vaccinated and trust the national vaccine program.

In a video message at a relief effort in Bacolod City and Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental on Thursday, September 2, Go also reminded everyone to observe the mandated protocols in order to bring the number of COVID-19 cases under control and ensure that hospitals can treat those in need more efficiently.

"Mga kababayan, 'pag nasa priority list kayo, magpabakuna kayo sa inyong mga lugar. Napatunayan na 'pag bakunado ka ay maiiwasan mo ang mga severe na sintomas sakaling mahawaan kayo ng virus. Kaya magtiwala at 'wag kayong matakot sa bakuna," said Go.

"Nakakabahala ang mga naiuulat na pagtaas ng kaso na maaari ay dahil sa mga bagong variants, tulad ng Delta variant. Noong nakaraang araw, nabalitaan natin na napupuno na naman ang mga ospital. Ako po'y nakikiusap sa mga awtoridad na mayroon sana mag-asikaso kaagad sa kanila kahit sa mga modular tents man lang," he appealed.

Meanwhile, the Senator's team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 6,009 beneficiaries, consisting of fire victims and workers from various sectoral groups, at the Government Center and Gonzaga Gym in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City and Brgy. Igmayaan covered court in Salvador Benedicto, respectively.

Selected beneficiaries were given bicycles for a more convenient commute, while some received new pairs of shoes. Others were provided computer tablets to aid their children as they pursue their education.

In a separate distribution, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Agriculture also turned over a new hauling truck to a local farming cooperative.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, evaluated beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

Continuing his message, Go also reached out to those with health concerns and offered them further assistance. He advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

The center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program, which Go legislated in 2019, has assisted over two million patients with 138 centers established nationwide.

Go expressed his gratitude to various officials for their efforts to support the COVID-19 response. Among these were 1st District Representative Gerardo Valmayor Jr.; Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya; Governor Eugenio Lacson; Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer; Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran; and Salvador Benedicto Mayor Laurence dela Cruz and Vice Mayor Nehemiah dela Cruz.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senator supported several initiatives to boost economic development and improve public service delivery in the province. These include the construction of a revetment, multi-purpose public facilities, and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Salvador Benedicto.

Other initiatives that Go pushed for included the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City; road maintenance in Bago City; and construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.

To ensure the province can withstand the ongoing pandemic and build its resilience against future health crises, Go also successfully pushed for the passage of a bill in the Senate which seeks to establish the Bacolod City General Hospital. The bill was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 24.

The previous day, September 1, Go's staff distributed the same aid to 6,359 residents at the Victorias City Coliseum and Victorias City Cultural Center. All activities were held in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)

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