PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's outreach team visited the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte on Thursday, October 7, as he pledged to continue to do whatever he could to help vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of recent disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video message, Go recognized that the pandemic has worsened conditions for low-income Filipinos and urged the public to follow the protocols to contain the spread of the virus to ensure the swiftest possible recovery of the communities.

"Alam ko na mahirap ang buhay dahil sarado ang mga resort ngayon. Kapag walang turismo, walang trabaho at negosyo. Kaya magtulungan at sumunod tayo sa mga patakaran para unti-unting mabuksan ng gobyerno ang ating ekonomiya. Malalampasan din natin ang mga krisis na ito at makakabalik din tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay kung magbabayanihan tayo," said Go.

The senator's staff provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 42 flash flood and fire victims. The activities were held at the Barangays Aumbay and Cawag covered courts in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program to help ease the impacts of the pandemic.

"Isa akong farmer sa aming barangay at biktima ng baha. Ngayong buwan ay wala nanamang ani ang aming palayan. Nagpapasalamat kami at may taga-gobyerno na pumunta para magbigay ng mga ayuda. Salamat kay Tatay Digong Duterte, Kuya Bong Go at sa mga taga-DSWD at mayroon akong natanggap na tulong mula sa kanila sa araw na ito," said Nestor Estores, a resident of Brgy. Aumbay.

The senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, also offered further assistance to those with medical and other health-related concerns. He advised them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Centers, the nearest of which are located at the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City and the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance offered by the government.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored a law which institutionalized the centers as an ongoing part of the services provided in hospitals run by the Department of Health. The Malasakit Centers gathers under one roof the agencies from which patients may seek medical assistance, namely the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Malasakit Centers program has established 142 centers across the country and assisted three million patients.

"Wala nang dahilan para tanggihan ang mga mahihirap na pasyente. Target nito maging zero balance o mabawasan hanggang kaya ang babayaran ng ating mga kababayan. Pwede rin kayo lumapit sa representative ng DSWD dito kung kailangan ninyo ng pangdagdag pambili ng gamot, pamasahe o pagkain," continued Go.

In the end, the senator proceeded to thank the local officials and first responders, led by Mayor Al David Uy and Vice Mayor Richard Guindolman, who helped in the wake of the disasters. He assured that the administration will continue to support and supplement the assistance being provided to help the city deal with the impacts of the various crises.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives to create jobs and stimulate the economy in Davao del Norte. Among these are the concreting of roads and construction of a multi-purpose building in Samal.

He also supported the concreting of other existing roads in Asuncion and Panabo City; construction or improvement of the drainage systems and canals in Braulio E. Dujali; rechanneling of a river and construction of a river wall in Talaingod; construction of a concrete revetment along the Tagum - Libuganon River Basin and earth dike along the Sadpudon Creek in Carmen; construction of a multi-purpose building in Kapalong and New Corella; and renovation of the public terminal, public parks and plaza in New Corella.

A similar relief effort was conducted for the members of the local Ata-Manobo community last August 11. (OSBG)

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