Lawmaker helps Magalang's transport workers, vendors

TRANSPORT workers and vendors from Magalang town recently received assistance from Senator Christopher "Bong" Go.

Go, who was not able to attend the activity held at the Magalang Town Plaza on Monday, September 20, 2021, had his team deliver the assistance needed by workers who were affected by the ongoing pandemic.

A total of 2,000 workers, who were grouped in small batch in compliance to social distancing protocol, benefitted from Go's program for Kapampangans.

Each of the beneficiaries received face masks, face shields and vitamins, which will protect them and their families from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), as well as packed meals.

Go also provided new shoes and bicycles to some of the recipients while others were given computer tablets to help their children as they pursue their education under the blended learning setup.

Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development then granted each essential worker financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

In his video message, the senator expressed hope that his assistance would help beneficiaries cope with challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos.

Medical assistance

Go also reminded beneficiaries and Kapampangans to make health their utmost priority during these unprecedented times.

He encouraged them to take advantage of medical assistance programs offered by the government through any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province.

The Malasakit Centers in Pampanga are located at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando City, and Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.

The Malasakit Center, a brainchild of Go, is a one-stop shop wherein indigent patients may seek medical assistance from partner agencies, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center, handa pong tumulong ‘yan sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” said Go, adding that there are now 141 Malasakit Centers operational nationwide.

(The Malasakit Center is a law, which I promoted then signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, for poor and indigent patients. Just approach the Malasakit Center, they are ready to help our fellow Filipinos.)

As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go urged the public to support the government’s vaccination efforts and get inoculated immediately to hasten the country’s return to normalcy.

Herd immunity

Go also expressed his optimism that with the convergent effort of the government and the cooperation of the people, the country will soon achieve population protection toward herd immunity.

“Pinag-aaralan po ng gobyerno ngayon na mas maluwag na restriction ‘pag ikaw ay bakunado. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo, libre po itong bakuna. Kung ano po ‘yung bakuna na nasa harapan niyo po, magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo,” Go said.

(The government is now studying a looser restriction when you are vaccinated. So get vaccinated, this vaccine is free. If the vaccine is in front of you, get vaccinated so that you are protected.)

“Mga kababayan ko, pinaghirapan po natin kunin itong mga bakunang ito. Pahirapan po, agawan po ng bakuna sa ibang bansa. Kaya ang pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, ‘pag nasa priority list na kayo, pabakuna na po kayo,” he added.

(My countrymen, we have worked hard to get these vaccines. It was hard to compete for vaccines with other countries. So my only request to you is, when you are on the priority list, get vaccinated.)

“Maraming salamat po sa mga tulong na ibinigay ng gobyerno, lalo na kay President Duterte at Senator Bong Go. Maganda po ‘yung naging serbisyo ni Senator dahil may Malasakit Center na pong malapit na makakabigay po ng malaking tulong po sa mga susunod na operasyon ng anak ko,” Rhomell Martin, 37, expressed in an interview.

(Many thanks for the assistance provided by the government, especially to President Duterte and Senator Bong Go. The service of the senator was good because there is a Malasakit Center nearby that can provide great help for my son's next operations.)

Infrastructure

Go, who also serves as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various infrastructure initiatives in the town to boost its economic development. Among these are the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barangays Dolores, Ildefonso and Sto. Niño and the procurement of medical equipment for Dr. Andres Luciano Hospital.

The senator also supported the acquisition of medical equipment for several hospitals in Arayat, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Porac, San Fernando and San Luis; construction of two-story multi-purpose buildings in Candaba, Floridablanca, Sta. Monica, Macabebe, Masantol and many others.

Go then thanked Representative Jorge Bustos, Governor Dennis Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayor Romy Pecson, and other local officials for remaining persistent in looking after the welfare and interests of their constituents.

“Alam ko pong nahihirapan po kayo. Kami rin po ay nahihirapan. Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang malampasan pa natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” said Go. “Kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.”

(I know you are having a hard time. We are also having a hard time. However, you are the ones who give us the strength to overcome this crisis that we are facing. You give us the strength to be able to serve all of you. Thank you all very much.)