BONG GO EXTENDS AID TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN ANGONO, RIZAL; COMMENDS GOV’T AGENCIES FOR EXTENDING SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE SECTORS AMID PANDEMIC

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued his efforts to help struggling communities as he sent his team to Rizal province and distributed assistance to 123 farmers and fisherfolk in the town of Angono on Monday, August 23.

Go’s staff ensured that necessary safety and health protocols were strictly observed during the relief efforts conducted at Angono Lakeside EcoPark. They also grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches to further prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The recipients then received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some beneficiaries also brought home new pairs of shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets that are intended to help their children who are pursuing studies under the blended learning set-up. video message, lauded several government agencies for continuously extending their programs to communities in need.

“Ayaw man ng gobyernong isara muli ang ekonomiya dahil marami pong nawawalan ng trabaho, marami pong naghihirap po dahil sa pagsasara ng ekonomiya. Ngunit, inuuna po namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kalusugan at buhay po ng bawat Pilipino,” Go expressed.

The Department of Agriculture extended financial grants, through their KADIWA ni Ani at Kita program, to the local government of Angono to help several associations of farmers and fisher folks.

The KADIWA program is a direct marketing scheme created by DA to ensure that food commodities are highly accessible to consumers through the KADIWA retail stores located in strategic areas.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to all recipients while the Department of Health gave supplies of medicines and vitamins.

Staff from the Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted their assessments where qualified recipients will be given the opportunity to take part in their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

Janver Mangayan, a fisherman and a tricycle driver, expressed how he struggles to manage two jobs at the same time and further shared how challenging it is to sustain his three children with his low income, especially since the pandemic affected most livelihoods in their community.

“Bawal po kami mamasada dahil may sinusunod po kaming protocols, mahina rin po ang kita bilang mangingisda. Pero hindi po ako sumusuko dahil ang iniisip ko po ay ang aking pamilya dahil gusto ko araw araw silang kumakain. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po, Sir Bong Go, at sa ating Pangulong Duterte at may pambili na po ako ng mga grocery at kung ano pa pong kailangan sa bahay. Malaking tulong po talaga ito,” Mangayan shared.

As the rate of COVID-19 cases continue to be alarming, Go urged the beneficiaries to remain vigilant and compliant to necessary health guidelines against the coronavirus. He then asked the public to participate in the national vaccination program to help the nation attain population protection, and herd immunity soon.

“Mga kababayan ko, tuluy-tuloy naman po ang vaccination rollout, at mayro’n na rin pong naiulat na parating na naman pong mga bakuna. Ang importante po rito madeploy, maiturok, at wala pong masayang,” Go said.

“Araw-araw naman po maganda po ‘yung naging resulta ng ating vaccination rollout. Importante po protektado ang bawat isa. ‘Pag nasa priority list na ho kayo magpabakuna na ho kayo,” he continued.

Senator Go, as Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended further assistance to those with health concerns as he advised them not to be hesitant to seek medical assistance in any of the four Malasakit Centers in the province.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates all DOH-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish Malasakit Centers. These centers provide convenient access to medical assistance programs from agencies such as DSWD, DOH, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to assist particularly poor and

indigent patients.

The Malasakit Centers in Rizal are located at the Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV in Antipolo City, the Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan, the Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Montalban, and the Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital in Cainta.

“Pakiusap po namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo, kung maaari po huwag munang umalis ng pamamahay kung hindi naman po kailangan at parating magsuot ng face mask at face shield, at observe social distancing. Nakasalalay rin po sa kooperasyon ng bawat isa ang ating kaligtasan dito sa laban kontra COVID-19,” Go reminded.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported infrastructure development programs in the province of Rizal to improve public service delivery and boost economic opportunities. These include the improvement of road and drainage system in Angono; the construction of Batangas Medical Center Annex in Montalban, Rizal; the rehabilitation of flood control structures along the upper Marikina River; the construction of the Justice Building in Antipolo City; the construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and construction of new roads in Baras; the rehabilitation and improvement of roads in Montalban; the purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo; and the construction of the Taytay Sports Complex.

Go then extended his gratitude towards the local government officials of Angono for sustaining their respective communities and making certain their constituents are supported, especially during these unprecedented times.

Among the officials were Representatives Jack Duavit and Fidel Nograles, Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares, Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr., Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon and Vice Mayor Gerry Calderon, and many others.

“Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa inyo - huwag niyo pong pabayaan ‘yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap. ‘Yung mga helpless, ‘yung mga hopeless po, huwag niyo po silang pababayaan,” Go ended.

On the same day, another team of the Senator conducted similar relief efforts for fire victims in the town of Teresa.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. They cited his many years of service under President Duterte and “heart for his country” through the various projects he initiated which have benefited millions of Filipinos.