PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, September 28, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's team distributed assistance to essential workers in Calbayog City, and Pinabacdao, Samar as part of the senator's commitment to help boost economic recovery amid the global pandemic.

Go's team organized two separate relief efforts at Barangay 1 Covered Court in Pinabacdao and Joggers Covered Court in Calbayog City, where they gave away meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to a total of 1,500 beneficiaries, composed primarily of transport workers and market vendors.

Likewise, they gave new pairs of shoes, computer tablets, and bicycles to some of the workers.

As part of the government's efforts to develop programs that would benefit poor communities that were greatly affected by the pandemic, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to each essential worker.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed individuals to find potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

The activities were held in compliance with the health and safety protocols to ensure public safety.

"Magaan po ang kalakaran sa trabaho noong wala pa pong pandemya at ngayon po na may pandemya, matumal na po ngayon ang hanapbuhay sa habal-habal po. Kaya po maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo, President Duterte at Senator Bong Go, dahil napakalaking bagay na rin po itong inihatid niyo po sa amin," Ronnie Abecia, 35, shared in an interview.

As Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go encouraged the beneficiaries to take part in the national vaccination program, emphasizing that the vaccines are free and will serve as an added protection against COVID-19.

He then advised the public to continue adhering to health precautions such as frequent washing of hands, wearing of masks and face shields when in public, maintaining social distance, and avoiding unnecessary travels as much as possible, to help curb the spread of the virus.

"Sa ngayon naman po binabalanse po ng ating gobyerno ang buhay, kalusugan, at ekonomiya. Importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay ng bawat tao. Ang pera naman po'y kikitain, subalit ang perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay," said Go.

As part of his pledge to give Filipino easier access to quality health care services, Go advised them those with medical concerns to visit the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City where there is a Malasakit Center available.

Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their respective Malasakit Centers. These centers shall provide convenient access to medical assistance programs from agencies, such as DSWD, DOH, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, to assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

Go then thanked Representatives Sharee Ann Tan and Edgar Sarmiento, Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, Vice Governor Angelica Gomez, Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Porlales Aquino and Vice Mayor Diego Prudencio Rivera, Pinabacdao Mayor Teodorico Abbang Mabag and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Tabontabon Eguia, and other local officials for extending the necessary support to make certain that their respective communities build back better from the challenges brought by the global health crisis.

"Alam ko pong mahirap po ang panahon ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Kailangan pong magtulungan tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino," he ended.

Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support for several infrastructure development initiatives, including the construction of a multi-purpose building in Catbalogan City and the construction of farm-to-market road in Pinabacdao, to create more economic opportunities and improve living conditions.

He also supported more projects in the province, such as the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in Basey, Marabut, Talalora, and Tarangnan; construction of public market in Guiuan, San Jorge, Talalora, and Tarangnan; construction of evacuation centers in Sta. Margarita, and Zumarraga; construction of seawall in Llorente and Sto Niño; and the acquisition of a dump truck in Jiabong.

On September 22, Go's staff also provided assistance to 512 struggling residents of Daram. (OSBG)

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