BONG GO GIVES AID TO INDIGENTS IN SUBIC, OLONGAPO
AS marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt of the public health crisis, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s office provided relief to market vendors, solo parents, tricycle drivers and indigent families in Subic and Olongapo City, Zambales.
In a series of distributions from January 8 to 9, Go reminded the beneficiaries of the simple yet effective ways to curb the spread of Covid-19. He also encouraged those qualified to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help the country return to normal.
“Huwag nating isantabi ang mga basic protocols, gaya ng pagsuot ng mask, palaging paghugas ng kamay, pag-obserba ng social distancing, at pananatili sa loob ng bahay kung hindi naman kailangang lumabas (Do not neglect the basic protocols, such as the wearing of mask, frequent washing of hands, observation of social distancing and remaining at home if it is not necessary to go out),” Go said.
“Higit sa lahat, magtiwala tayo sa national vaccine program at magpabakuna na kaagad ayon sa priority order na ipinapatupad. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagdating ng bakuna at pinapabilis na natin ang rollout upang marating natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity sa lalong madaling panahon (And most of all, trust the national vaccine program and get yourselves inoculated. Vaccines continue to arrive and we are speeding up the rollout so we could achieve herd immunity as soon as possible),” he added.
Go’s staff handed out meals and masks to a total of 1,400 residents. The activities were carried out in batches at the Asinan, Sta. Rita, and
Pag-asa covered courts in Olongapo City and Josephine F. Khonghun Special Education Center in Subic in compliance with health protocols against Covid-19.
They also gave select residents new shoes and bicycles for commuting needs and computer tablets for their children’s educational activities.
In a separate distribution, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended financial support to the residents as part of the continuing efforts of the government to mitigate the adverse socioeconomic effects of the health crisis.
Go, who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered additional aid to those in need of medical care. He also strongly advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town.
The center is a one-stop shop that provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The program has helped more than three million patients nationwide since the first Malasakit Center opened in 2018. It was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored.
From December 22 to 23, Go’s team also delivered assistance to struggling market vendors, transport workers and indigent families in Palauig, Zambales.