SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s team distributed aid to 198 beneficiaries in Tan-awan Briefing Area in Oslob, Cebu on Thursday, October 8.
The Senator coordinated with different government agencies to also provide additional assistance to the beneficiaries who are made up of fisher-members of the Tan-awan Oslob Sea Warden and Fishermen Association (TOSWFA).
The Senator’s team provided vitamins, food packs, masks, and face shields. Go’s team also gave bicycles to selected beneficiaries to be used given limited public transportation options amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mayroon akong ipinadala diyan na pagkain, face shield at mask. Suotin niyo po ‘yan dahil delikado pa ang panahon ngayon. Cooperate tayo sa gobyerno hangga’t wala pa vaccine na safe. ‘Wag tayong magkumpiyansa,” Go said.
“’Wag kayong mag-alala, kapag mayroon nang vaccine, uunahin namin ang mga mahihirap at mga fishermen natin para makabalik na tayo sa ating mga normal na pamumuhay natin. Tiis lang tayo ng kaonti,” he added ensuring that the poor and the vulnerable will have priority access to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine once made available.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were present to provide financial assistance and food packs. One hundred seventy-six (176) of the total beneficiaries were given cash assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The remaining 22 beneficiaries received food packs as they had already received assistance under the Social Amelioration Program.
“Aking pinakiusapan ang DSWD dahil nakarinig ako na ang iba sa inyo ay hindi pa nakakatanggap ng SAP. So, mayroon tayong programa sa national government na tinatawag na AICS, kaya may makakatanggap diyan na cash assistance na galing sa DSWD,” Go said.
The Department of Trade and Industry also came to assess and evaluate beneficiaries who will be given livelihood assistance.
“Ang DTI, ganun rin. Mag-assess sila para sa livelihood assistance para sa mga gustong magnegosyo. Kung ano pa po ang pwede namin maitulong, sabihin ninyo lang. ‘Wag kayong mahiya na lapitan kami dahil trabaho namin ‘yan ni Presidente Duterte na magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” the Senator explained.
The Senator also urged the fishermen to go to the nearest Malasakit Center located in Talisay District Hospital where they can avail of medical and financial assistance.
According to Go, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop where all four government agencies, namely the DSWD, PhilHealth, Department of Health and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, are under one roof.
Because of the Malasakit Center’s streamlined services, Filipinos will only have to go to one office and fill up the unified Malasakit Form and their request is processed immediately. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are also prioritized.
“Lapitan ninyo lang ‘yan dahil batas na ‘yan at ‘yan ang ini-sponsor ko na batas, ang Malasakit Centers (Act of 2019),” Go said.
“Nasa loob na ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno. Sila ay tutulong sa inyo para mapagamot kayo sa mga ospital. Inyo ‘yang Malasakit Center,” he added.
He also offered the beneficiaries additional help when major health operations are required.
“Ako na magpapa-opera sa inyo sa ibang ospital. Kami na mamamasahe sa Manila kung hindi kaya sa Cebu. Ako na ang tutulong sa inyo na magpaopera. Kahit ‘yung mga kamag-anak pa ninyo na kinakailangan ng tulong, lapitan niyo lang mga staff ko dahil handa kaming tumulong sa inyong lahat,” he said.
“Patuloy po tayong magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa kapwa. Huwag po kayo mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandito po kami para magserbisyo sa inyo. Ako naman po, mula noon hanggang ngayon, bisyo ko ang magserbisyo sa mga kapwa kong Pilipino,” he added. (PR)