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TYPHOON AURING-AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN BUTUAN CITY, AGNOR CONTINUE TO RECEIVE AID
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to help communities that were affected by Typhoon Auring that hit the country in February as he sent relief to hundreds of typhoon victims in Butuan City and the province of Agusan del Norte.
Go’s personnel handed out meals, food packs, masks, face shields, and vitamins to each beneficiary. There were selected recipients who received new pairs of shoes and bicycles that will serve as an alternative for commuters amid limited transportation options. Others received computer tablets that will help their children engage better during classes under the blended learning system.
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To ensure the well-being of the 718 beneficiaries while adhering to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) safety and health protocols, his team conducted two simultaneous distribution activities in different venues. Around 502 recipients were in attendance at the Los Angeles Covered Court, while there were around 216 beneficiaries at Agusan Pequeño Covered Court. “Pakiusap lang, magtulungan lang tayo. Sino ba naman ang magtutulungan, kung ‘di tayo lang ding kapwa natin Pilipino. Mayroon pang tinamaan ng baha dahil sa bagyo noong nakaraan buwan na tinamaan ng bagyo. Magtulungan lang tayo at malalampasan din natin itong kinakaharap na krisis ngayon basta magtulungan lang tayo,” Go expressed in his video message.
Several government agencies were also present as they gave additional help to the beneficiaries. The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Trade and Industry will do an assessment where qualified recipients can be part of their livelihood program. Furthermore, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will evaluate beneficiaries for their scholarship program.
encouraged the beneficiaries with medical conditions to seek medical assistance at the Malasakit Center located inside the Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City.
Go primarily authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. It aims to reduce to the lowest amount possible the balance of the hospital bills of those who seek its assistance by covering patient services and expenses, such as laboratories, medicines, surgeries, and operations.
The center is a one-stopshop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can efficiently access medical assistance from agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and PhilHealth.
“Salamat sa inyong tulong, mga kababayan, at mayroon rin tayong Malasakit Center dyan sa Butuan Medical center in Butuan City. Ang Malasakit center ay one-stop shop. Lapitan niyo lamang na handang tumulong sa poor and indigent patients,” Go said.
As he continued to extend his efforts to improve access to health care assistance, Senator Go also filed Senate Bill No. 1226, or the proposed DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Rationalization Act of 2019, which aims to authorize the DOH to increase the bed capacity and capabilities of DOH-run hospitals for a more efficient and systematic approach in dealing with health crises.
“Magtiwala lang kayo sa ating gobyerno, mga kababayan ko. Ang importante ay maabot o ma-attain natin ang herd immunity sa community para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay,” said Go. He, then, mentioned several projects he supported, such as the construction of the road connecting NRJ Masao Port Road-NRJ Butuan CityAgusan del Norte Logistical Highway, construction of Levee Road, concreting the road in Barangay Purok K-4 to Purok K-7 Tagabaca Farm-to-Market Road, and many others.
Go expressed his gratitude towards Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera, Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Lagnada, Butuan City Vice Mayor Jose Aquino II, and other local government officials who remain to serve their constituents amid crisis due to COVID-19.
“Kaunting tiis lang po at magtiwala po tayo sa ating gobyerno. Basta kami ni Presidente Duterte, sa abot ng aming makakaya, handa kaming magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go ended.
On May 27, similar distribution activities were conducted in the town of Tubay where 29 beneficiaries received assistance and Cabadbaran City where they handed out relief to 38 typhoon victims. (OSBG/PIACaraga) May 29-June 4, 2021 | 39
