Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Barangay Panacan in Davao City on Saturday, October 30, to check on the condition of the residents and ensure they have the support they need during these trying times.
“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami ang nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon para makapagserbisyo. Hindi namin sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ito at 24/7 kaming magtatrabaho para sa aming mga kababayang Pilipino,” reassured Go.
“Matagal na ako dito sa Panacan dahil magkakapitbahay lang tayo. Kaya kung may maitutulong kami, ‘wag kayong mahiyang lumapit sa amin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Kahit saan kami mapadpad, ‘wag kayong mag-alala dahil patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” he added.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many infrastructure initiatives to accelerate the development of Davao City.
The senator and his staff distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 71 residents, consisting of solo parents, persons with disabilities and displaced workers from Barangays Bunawan, Panacan and Buhangin. The activity was held in batches at the covered court in compliance with the mandated protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
His staff also gave selected residents new shoes or bicycles for commuting, as well as computer tablets to help children in their blended learning activities.
Moreover, personnel from the Department of Labor and Employment granted each resident wages for work rendered under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Continuing his message, Go urged residents to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and keep taking precautions in order to protect themselves and those most at risk of severe illness or death, such as the sick and elderly.
“Pakiusap, magtiwala kayo kay Pangulong Duterte at sa gobyerno. Nasa datos naman na kung bakunado kayo, mas maiiwasan niyo ang severe na sintomas o pagkamatay ng dahil sa COVID-19. Tingnan niyo sa Maynila! Bumababa ang bilang ng kaso nila dahil marami na ang bakunado,” continued Go.
“Higit (100) milyon na dose ng bakuna na ang dumating at may paparating pa mula sa Russia sa susunod na linggo. Umaasa tayo na makakamit na ang population protection leading to herd immunity itong taon. Malaking tulong ‘to sa frontliners dahil bababa ang bilang ng ma-oospital at hindi babagsak ang healthcare system,” he explained.
The senator encouraged any poor and indigent patient needing help with medications and other medical needs to reach out to his office. He also informed them that they may avail of further medical assistance for their health expenses through the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in the said city.
The centers aim to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible by bringing the relevant agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.
The Malasakit Centers were institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate and President Duterte signed in December 2019.
Go urged residents to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and keep taking precautions in order to protect themselves and those most at risk of severe illness or death, such as the sick and elderly.
“Kung mayroon kayong pasyente, hanapin niyo lang ang Malasakit Center. Nandyan na sa loob ang mga ahensya na tutulong para maging zero balance o wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital. Ano ba ang qualification ng Malasakit Center? Basta Pilipino ka, poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” he said.
“Ngayon, kung kinakailangan niyong operahan o transplant, lapitan niyo lang ang aming opisina. Huwag na kayong mag-alala sa inyong bayarin sa ospital dahil kami na ang sasagot. Alam namin na kaya minsan takot ang mga tao na magpa-ospital masakit dahil mahal babayaran,” added Go.
The senator proceeded to express gratitude to the local officials led by Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Baste Duterte for working together to keep Davaoeños safe. Among these were Councilors Che-Che Justol and Dante Apostol; Panacan Punong Barangay Doce Apostol; Kagawad Arnold Apostol, Reyvan Abad, Mary Jean Basalan, Roseller Bantugan and Orlando Caday; and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman Ryan Calsa.
He also thanked Buhangin Punong Barangay Francisco Gamad and Kagawad Danilo Dayanghirang II, Bunawan Punong Barangay Ronnie Odeña, and former councilor and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Al Ryan Alejandre.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many infrastructure initiatives to accelerate the development of Davao City. They include the improvement of the construction or rehabilitation of multi-purpose buildings and local roads in different barangays around the city, as well as the Philippine Red Cross Regional Office at the SPMC, Paquibato District Hall, Hope Day Care Center, and many more.
Other initiatives he supported are the construction of water systems in Barangays Acacia, Fatima, Mabuhay and San Isidro; construction or widening of a drainage canal in Barangays Bunawan Proper and Mintal; construction or rehabilitation of a drainage system in Barangays Centro, Mudiang and Ubalde; construction of a flood control structure in Brgy. 9-A and at Datu Loho Creek; and construction of a new infectious diseases building and purchase of ambulances for the SPMC.
The previous day, October 29, Go’s staff also assisted 1,500 residents also affected by the ongoing crisis in Barangays Angalan, Manambulan and Manuel Guianga.
