Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again urged the government to further strengthen its vaccination efforts as he continues to provide relief to more pandemic-affected communities nationwide.
Go’s team mounted a two-day relief effort for struggling residents in Camiling, Tarlac on 18 and 19 August. In his video message, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, urged eligible residents to get vaccinated to better protect themselves and their families from the virus.
“Mga kababayan ko, magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna. Magpabakuna po kayo para po kayo ay protektado. Ito po ang susi sa ngayon upang makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. Huwag na po natin hayaan na mahirapan ulit ang ating mga healthcare workers. Tulungan po natin sila sa paraan ng pagpapabakuna,” encouraged Go.
“Huwag po natin hayaan na mapupuno na naman po ang mga ospital nang dahil sa tumataas na kaso. Mas patatagin pa natin ang ating vaccination efforts. Huwag pong maging kumpiyansa dahil ito pong COVID-19 ay hindi po natin nakikitang kalaban. Sumunod pa rin po sa mga basic health protocols,” he reiterated.
Go’s team distributed masks, shirts and snacks to 1,000 residents at the Camiling Sports Complex. In addition, they gave away bicycles, cellular phones and shoes to select individuals.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Senator Go then informed the beneficiaries that they may conveniently avail medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center located at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that houses relevant government agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to efficiently assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.
Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program in 2019. To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers that have helped more than three million Filipinos nationwide.
In the end, the senator lauded the local leaders of Camiling for serving their constituents and helping ensure that no one is left behind towards recovery.
Meanwhile, as part of the senator’s advocacy to encourage more Filipinos to engage in sports, Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.
The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports.
The team of Go also previously visited the town of San Manuel where they provided similar relief to a thousand indigents on August 2.