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Go provides support for hundreds of Go Bike Project youth responders in Bugallon

Christopher “Bong” Go

Bong GoIN line with the advocacy of the Go Bike Project, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed bicycle units and other forms of assistance to 250 youth community responders in Bugallon, Pangasinan.

Founded on March 16, 2019, the Go Bike Project is a voluntary youth-led organization that trains and certifies the youth to become community responders during crisis situations. It utilizes bicycles as an emergency response mechanism for health emergencies and natural disasters. The senator is not, in any way, connected or affiliated with the organization.

The bicycles that the senator distributed to selected beneficiaries will be used to deliver basic healthcare services, such as blood pressure monitoring, first aiding, and blood sugar testing within the vicinity of Bugallon. The recipients of these bicycles were identified by the co-founders of the Go Bike Project.

At the height of the community quarantine in the country and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Go Bike Project launched the Ronda Kalusugan Program which required the youth community responders to attend to the healthcare needs of elderlies, pregnant women, and sick residents in Bugallon, eliminating the need for them to leave their homes and possible exposure to the virus.

Equipped with their multi-functional cargo mountain bikes with first aid kits and medicine supplies, they conduct blood pressure checking, blood sugar level and other vital signs monitoring among residents in need. They also assist in distributing relief goods to locals while following strict health protocols.

Go Bike members were trained by the Philippine Red Cross – Dagupan City Chapter and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Bugallon.

In his speech, Go hoped that the donated bicycles will be useful to these youth volunteers who have committed to render community service in their area.

Masaya po ako na ibahagi sa ating mga Go Bikers ang mga bisikletang ito mula sa aking opisina. Hangad ko pong makatulong sa inyong inisyatibong maghatid ng healthcare services sa ating mga kababayang nasa gitna ng pandemya,” Go said.

Bilang mga youth community responders, sana po ay ipagpatuloy ninyo ang magandang programa na nasimulan na dahil napakalaki po ng tulong na naibigay ninyo sa inyong komunidad. Hangad ko rin pong magamit ninyo ang bisikletang ito para mas marami pa kayong matulungan,” he said.

While strictly complying with health protocols, Go’s personnel also distributed meals, vitamins, food packs, masks and face shields to the community of volunteers. He also gave away pairs of shoes to some of the responders.

Go acknowledged the local government officials, led by Governor Amado Espino III, 2nd District of Pangasinan Representative Jumel Espino, and Bugallon Mayor Priscilla Espino. He also expressed gratitude towards barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials for their untiring service to their constituents.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance through its existing program that aims to help individuals in crisis situations.

Go, then, urged residents with medical concerns to go to the nearest Malasakit Center at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan to conveniently avail of medical assistance from the governmennt.

Meron po tayong Malasakit Center diyan sa Region 1 Medical Center sa Dagupan City. Pwede niyo pong lapitan ang Malasakit Center. Ang Malasakit Center ay batas na. Meron na tayong 97 Malasakit Centers all over the country,” he explained.

The senator explained that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where government agencies with medical assistance programs are housed under one roof to help poor and indigent patients conveniently seek aid from the government for their medical expenses.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the senator emphasized that he and President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to reach out and extend immediate help to Filipinos in need.

Kung ano pa pong pwede kong maitulong sa inyo, huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte dahil trabaho namin ang magserbisyo sa inyo,” Go said.

Hindi namin sasayangin ni Pangulong Duterte itong pagkakataong ito. Ibabalik po namin sa tao ‘yung serbisyo na para po sa inyo. Tutulong po kami at magseserbisyo po kami sa inyo sa abot po ng aming makakaya,” he ended.