To encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated and help them cope with the challenges caused by the pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go repeated his appeal to the national government to give cash incentives for the fully vaccinated members of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
On November 25 and 26, Go’s team organized relief operations for thousands of disadvantaged residents in Tabuk, Kalinga. In his video message, he reminded everyone there to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help the country achieve population protection leading to herd immunity.
He then asked the local government leaders to continue enforcing necessary health protocols as the country’s economy gradually recovers. The senator, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed that the safety and well-being of Filipinos must be prioritized.
“Kung napapansin niyo po, kadalasan sa mga namamatay o nagkakasakit ng severe na sintomas ay ‘yung mga ‘di bakunado. Halos lahat ng mga nasa ospital ngayon ay ‘di bakunado kaya kung mahal niyo ang inyong pamilya ay magpabakuna na kayo,” appealed Go.
“Gusto nating makamtam ang population protection ngayong taon. Positive ako na makakamit natin ito dahil kung mabakunahan na ang 50% ng populasyon ay tuluy-tuloy na tayo patungo sa herd immunity,” he continued.
Held at the Capitol Gymnasium, the distribution benefitted 1,800 residents, who received meals and masks from the senator’s staff. The team also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to select recipients and gave others computer tablets for their children’s studies.
In addition, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance as part of its relief measures for individuals in crisis situations.
“Marami po talagang magandang nagawa ang administrasyong Duterte lalo na sa laban kontra droga. Pati na sa mga kalsada at tulay, maraming nag-improve,” Noel Oakes, 53, expressed in an interview.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga tulong na inihatid nila President (Rodrigo) Duterte at Senator Bong Go dito sa amin,” Oakes added.
Go also encouraged those with medical concerns to reach out to his office or any of the 149 Malasakit Centers in the country should they need medical aid.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can apply for medical assistance from the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored.
“Kung mayroon ho kayong mga pasyente sa (Philippine) Heart Center, sa NKTI, sa Maynila, magsabi lang po kayo. Nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go stressed.
The senator then commended the local leaders of Tabuk for working hand-in-hand to keep their community safe. Among the officials were Representative Sonny Mangaoang, Governor Ferdinand Tubban, Vice Governor Dave Odiem, Mayor Sacrament Gumilab and Vice Mayor Charles Abay.
To enhance the economic development in Kalinga, Go as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance has also supported several projects, including the rehabilitation of roads in Balbalan, Pinukpuk, and Tinglayan; installation of street lights in Rizal and Tinglayan; construction of waterworks in Lubuagan; and the acquisition of an ambulance unit for the local government of Rizal.
“Mga kababayan ko, ako po ang inyong Kuya Bong Go. Kasama si Pangulong Duterte ay handang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Nandirito lang po kami na magseserbisyo po sa inyo at handang-handang magserbisyo po sa inyo sa anumang oras,” Go ended.