PASAY CITY -- Despite filing his candidacy for Vice President for the upcoming national elections, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stressed that his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate as a senator and in ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind towards recovery amid the ongoing health crisis.

"Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna 'yung pulitika, tapos na 'yung filing, let's go back to work. Unahin po natin 'yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan bago ang halalan. At bakuna muna bago pulitika," said Go.

Go called on fellow government officials and those aspiring for positions in the upcoming polls, regardless of party color, to remain focused and work together as fighting this pandemic requires a whole-of-government approach.

"We should channel our energies to the very essence of why we seek public office and that is to provide genuine public service," he stressed.

"I remain determined to fulfill my role as a bridge for the poor, the needy, the hopeless and the helpless — connecting them to their government so that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed during these trying times," he added.

Just recently, Go's staff conducted an activity for the workers at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City to thank them for their hard work over the past year. In a video message, he recognized the extraordinary challenges they face and urged them to observe the pertinent health requirements ahead of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day this November.

"Gagawin namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito. Basta mag-ingat kayo parati. Huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandito ang gobyerno para sa inyo at uunahin natin palagi ang buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino," reassured Go.

"Magtulungan tayong lahat, magbayanihan at sumunod tayo sa mga health protocols na ibinigay ng gobyerno. Ang pagsunod natin ay isa sa mga paraan para masugpo at bumaba ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa ating siyudad," he continued.

The senator's staff provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 1,180 workers on October 9 and 10. The activity was held in batches at an open venue at the Manila Memorial Park in compliance with the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Selected workers received new pairs of shoes, while some received bicycles for their daily commute. Others received computer tablets so their children can carry out in their blended learning activities at home.

Furthermore, representatives from Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance as part of the continuing effort by the government to assist those on the front lines of the pandemic.

"Mahigit twenty years na akong caretaker dito sa Manila Memorial Park. Sapat naman sa pamilya ang kinikita namin pero naging malaking epekto talaga ang pandemya at hindi makabisita ang mga tao. May mga amo na nagpapadala kaya nakaka-survive kami kahit papaano. Sa ngayon, nagtitinda na rin kami ng mga kakanin para may pangdagdag kita kami," shared Maritess Maralit, 57.

"Nagpapasalamat kami kay Pangulong Duterte at tumutulong siya sa mga mahihirap. Gagamitin ko 'yung pera pambili ng pagkain at pangbayad ng utang. Maraming salamat din kay Senator Bong at ikalawang taon na niya 'tong tulong sa amin! Napakalaking bagay ng naging tulong ninyo at wala talaga kaming kita nung 2020," she added.

The senator also offered his assistance to those requiring medical treatment. He advised them to avail of further aid at any of the 27 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, the nearest of which is located at the Ospital ng Parañaque. There are 142 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

The center is a one-stop shop which streamlines the process of acquiring aid from the relevant government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It seeks to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses.

"Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center ng tutulungan. Karapatan niyo 'to bilang Pilipino. Binabalik lang namin ang pera niyo sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos at maaasahang serbisyo. Kaya sa mga poor at indigent patients diyan, puntahan niyo na ang Malasakit Center dahil para talaga sa inyo ito," assured Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Following the easing of community restrictions in Metro Manila, Go's staff along with key partner agencies provided aid to over three hundred workers at the cemetery in October 2020. More recently, they delivered relief to 23 families at Brgy. Sun Valley on October 2, who were displaced by a fire outbreak.

To boost the development and improve the delivery basic services in Parañaque City, Go has also supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in various barangays and the acquisition of a new ambulance unit in his capacity as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. (OSBG)

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