Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team deliver assistance to thousands of transport workers and vendors in Magalang, Pampanga on Monday, September 20 to help them cope with challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos.
In his video message during the activity conducted at Magalang Town Plaza, Go reminded the public to make health their utmost priority during these unprecedented times. He then encouraged them to take advantage of medical assistance programs offered by the government through any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province.
The Malasakit Centers in Pampanga are located at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando City, and Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.
The Malasakit Center, a brainchild of Go, is a one-stop shop wherein particularly poor and indigent patients may seek medical assistance from partner agencies, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte, para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center, handa pong tumulong ‘yan sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” said Go, adding that there are now 141 Malasakit Centers operational nationwide.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go urged the public to support the government’s vaccination efforts and get inoculated immediately to hasten the country’s return to normalcy.
Go then expressed his optimism that with the convergent effort of the government and the cooperation of the people, the country will soon achieve population protection toward herd immunity.
“Pinag-aaralan po ng gobyerno ngayon na mas maluwag na restriction ‘pag ikaw ay bakunado. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo, libre po itong bakuna. Kung ano po ‘yung bakuna na nasa harapan niyo po, magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo,” Go said.
“Mga kababayan ko, pinaghirapan po natin kunin itong mga bakunang ito. Pahirapan po, agawan po ng bakuna sa ibang bansa. Kaya ang pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, ‘pag nasa priority list na kayo, pabakuna na po kayo,” he added.
Go’s team grouped the 2,000 beneficiaries into smaller batches and handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins while necessary safety and health protocols were strictly observed.
Go also provided new shoes and bicycles to some of the recipients while others were given computer tablets to help their children as they pursue their education under the blended learning setup.
Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development then granted each essential worker financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga tulong na ibinigay ng gobyerno, lalo na kay President Duterte at Senator Bong Go. Maganda po ‘yung naging serbisyo ni Senator dahil may Malasakit Center na pong malapit na makakabigay po ng malaking tulong po sa mga susunod na operasyon ng anak ko,” Rhomell Martin, 37, expressed in an interview.
Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various infrastructure initiatives in the town to boost its economic development. Among these are the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Brgys. Dolores, Ildefonso, and Sto. Niño, and the procurement of medical equipment for Dr. Andres Luciano Hospital.
The Senator also supported the acquisition of medical equipment for several hospitals in Arayat, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Porac, San Fernando, and San Luis; construction of two-storey multi-purpose buildings in Candaba, Floridablanca, Sta. Monica, Macabebe, and Masantol, and many others.
Go then thanked Representative Jorge Bustos, Governor Delta Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda, Mayor Romy Pecson, and other local officials for remaining persistent in looking after the welfare and interests of their constituents.
“Alam ko pong nahihirapan po kayo. Kami rin po ay nahihirapan. Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang malampasan pa natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” said Go.
“Kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” he ended.
