PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged local governments to take the necessary steps in their vaccination strategies to effectively encourage residents to get inoculated against COVID-19 in a video message delivered during a relief effort for 611 low-income residents in Calumpit, Bulacan on Tuesday, September 28.

"Hangga't kaya ng supply ng ating mga bakuna, bubuksan na (ang vaccine program) sa publiko. Kung mas marami nang bakunado at patuloy na bababa ang bilang ng nahahawa, maaari na nating luwagan ang mga patakaran para pwede na kumain at pumasyal sa labas, makatrabaho, at makagalaw nang wala masyadong restrictions," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved the recommendation to expand the national vaccination program to the general population beginning in October in accordance with the vaccination guidelines determined by health experts.

The Senator also said in the video message that the government is working hard to ensure that Filipinos have access to sufficient and safe vaccines.

Go, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to all those who have successfully received their jabs and reminded them to stay compliant with the health guidelines recommended by the government to prevent the further spread of the virus.

"Pakiusap lang ho namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo - mag mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay," Go reminded.

"Bagama't bakunado na po kayo, hindi po natin alam 'yung mga katabi niyo po ay hindi pa bakunado. Dapat po protektado kayo, mga kababayan ko," he continued.

Go's team then proceeded to distribute essentials such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the 611 beneficiaries at the Brgy. Poblacion Covered Court in Calumpit. The beneficiaries came from various towns and cities of Bulacan, including Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Malolos, Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, Norzagaray, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, San ildefonso, Santa Maria and San Jose del Monte.

Some beneficiaries received bicycles and new pairs of shoes while others brought home computer tablets that could help their children easily access the educational materials they need for classes.

Meanwhile, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted each of them with financial assistance through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Furthermore, Go offered additional assistance to locals with health concerns as he encouraged them to take advantage of the medical assistance programs available in the Malasakit Centers at Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Santa Maria.

Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, under which all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital are mandated to establish their Malasakit Centers to provide particularly poor and indigent patients convenient access to quality healthcare services.

Apart from the assistance given, the senator, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support to various infrastructure initiatives in Calumpit to help its economic boom. Among these are the construction of several slope concrete river walls in Barangays Meysulao, Meyto, Bulusan, Sta. Lucia, San Jose, San Miguel, and Sapang Bayan.

Go also supported the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and construction of a multi-purpose building in Malolos City; provision of medical equipment in local hospitals; construction of drainages; improvement of the Pandi District Hospital; concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso; and many more.

The senator recognized Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Willy Sy-Alvarado, Mayor Jessie De Jesus, Vice Mayor Victor De Belen, and other local officials as they continue to serve to their constituents amid the national health crisis.

"Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam ko pong nahirapan kayo. Kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahirapan din po. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap," he ended.

The team of Go has earlier conducted a similar assistance activity for another 1,500 indigent residents of Calumpit from September 2 to 3. (OSBG)

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