THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to provide aid to communities affected by natural disasters to help them recover and build back better. In a two-part distribution activity which was held on Tuesday, January 26, Go’s team extended assistance to 948 beneficiaries recovering from Typhoon Quinta in Barangay Sabang, Allen in Northern Samar.
They distributed meals, food packs, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the beneficiaries at the Barangay Sabang Evacuation Center where the beneficiaries are temporarily staying.
During the activities, Go’s team made sure necessary health protocols were strictly observed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Bicycles were distributed to selected recipients for their commute to work amid limited transportation options. Others received computer tablets for their children’s use in classes as part of their blended learning being implemented by schools.
“Sa mga estudyante, mag-aral kayong mabuti dahil ‘yan lang ang puhunan natin sa mundo, ang makapagtapos tayo ng pag-aaral. Pakunswelo natin ‘yan sa mga magulang natin na nagpapakahirap para mapag-aral lang kayo,” he advised.
As the chair of the Senate committee on health, Go told beneficiaries that once a vaccine is available and deemed safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration, the poor and the vulnerable, as well as frontliners, will be prioritized.
“Mga kababayan, kaunting tiis lang. Kapag may vaccine nang nabili ang gobyerno, uunahin namin ang mga mahihirap. Uunahin namin kayo,” Go said.
“’Wag kayong mag-alala, hindi namin kayo pababayaan ni Pangulong Duterte. Sisiguraduhin namin sa inyo na pagdating ng vaccine ay libre ito sa lahat ng mahihirap para makabalik kayo sa normal na pamumuhay,” he added.
Go also offered assistance to those needing medical attention. He told beneficiaries that they can conveniently avail of government assistance for their medical bills at the nearest Malasakit Center located in the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman.
“Kung mayroon kayong pasyente dyan, tutulungan ko kayong magpa-opera sa Manila o Tacloban o kahit saang ospital, tutulungan namin kayo,” he said.
“Mayroon na rin tayong 99 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. At ang target ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance para wala na po kayong babayaran sa ospital. Lapitan niyo lang po ito,” he added.
The senator explained that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for their medical concerns and houses four government agencies, namely Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and PhilHealth.
Meanwhile, as part of the government’s holistic approach to help communities recover, personnel from the DSWD were also present to distribute separate additional cash aid to beneficiaries. The Department of Trade and Industry assessed potential beneficiaries of their livelihood program.
Additionally, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also provided a special training for their employment program. The Department of Agriculture gave away seedlings and farming livelihood to.
