Vulnerable groups in Leyte given a boost by Bong Go

As the global health crisis continues to disrupt the economy and cause many to lose their source of income, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to supporting pandemic-hit communities nationwide to help hasten their recovery.,Go’s team conducted a series of aid distributions to displaced workers and other vulnerable sectors in Mayorga, Javier, Abuyog, Tabontabon, and San Miguel, Leyte on Monday, June 6.,In a video message, Go commended the 265 beneficiaries for not giving up despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic. The senator then reassured them that the government will continue to provide the necessary support.,He also urged those eligible yet unvaccinated individuals to help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity by participating in the national vaccination drive.,“Mayroon lang kaming pakiusap sa inyo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, patuloy pa rin po ang pagbabakuna. Kaya kung kayo po ay nasa priority list o kaya naman eligible na po kayo, magpabakuna na po kayo. Tiwala sa gobyerno at disiplina ang ating kailangan para masugpo natin ang krisis na ito,” Go underscored.,“Nakikita naman po natin na maganda ang ating pandemic response. Tuluy-tuloy lang po kami sa gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo at suporta hanggang tayo ay makaahon muli, pero kailangan pa rin namin ng inyong kooperasyon, mga kababayan ko,” he appealed.,Go likewise emphasized that the health and well-being of his fellow Filipinos remain on top of his priorities as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. He then offered additional assistance to those with health concerns and advised them to visit any of the five Malasakit Centers in the province.,The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored, mandates Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their Malasakit Centers. LGU-run hospitals can establish their Malasakit Centers provided they meet the criteria in accordance with the law.,To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including those at Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, and Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City.,To help improve the delivery of services in EVRMC, Go sponsored and successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act 11567, a bill to increase the bed capacity of the hospital. He likewise successfully pushed RA 11566, a measure to convert the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC.,“‘Wag kayong mag-alala mga kababayan ko. Andito lang kami ni Presidente Duterte, handa kaming tumulong sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magsusumikap kami para sa inyong lahat,” said Go.,Go’s team mounted the relief efforts at Villa Erlinda Resort in Mayorga, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in Tabontabon, San Miguel Municipal Gymnasium, Abuyog Community College, and Javier Municipal Auditorium.,They distributed snacks and provided shoes and a phablet to select individuals. In addition, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided livelihood grants to each individual.,As part of the Duterte Administration’s efforts to enhance the skills of Filipino workers, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority identified beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.,Go, who is also Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure projects in the province, such as road improvements in San Miguel, Abuyog, and Mayorga; the rehabilitation of an evacuation center, and the acquisition of multicab and ambulance units in Abuyog.,“Tuloy lang po ang ating pagmamalasakit sa bayan at sa kapwa tao. Mga kababayan ko, ingat po tayo palagi at magdasal,” said Go.,“Tandaan natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa tao, sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon. Dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he ended.,On May 28, the senator’s team gave similar assistance to more displaced workers in Palo.