AS the local and national and local elections came to a close, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reiterated his appeal to the national and local government to continue intensifying pandemic efforts, particularly in far-flung areas.

In his video message during a relief activity in Santa Teresita, Batangas, on Friday, May 6, Go also underscored that vaccines are key to the country’s return to normalcy.

He urged his fellow Batangueños who are eligible yet still unvaccinated to participate in the national inoculation program to better protect themselves from Covid-19.

Go also asked them to remain vigilant and to continue following health preventive measures.

“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga LGUs (local government units), sa ating national government, magtulungan po tayo. Kung kailangan po, suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens at PWDs

(persons with disability) para po protektado sila (I am also appealing to the LGUs, to our national government, let’s help each other. If it is necessary, let’s go house-to-house for the protection of the senior citizens and PWDs),” the senator said.

“Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot ho kayo sa Covid-19 (The vaccine is the only key or solution toward our eventual return to normal lives. Do not be afraid of the vaccine, be afraid of Covid-19),” he added.

The relief effort was held at the municipal covered court where the senator’s team gave meals and masks to 667 struggling Batangueños.

The team also gave bicycles, shoes and tablets to select residents.

Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided financial assistance to help mitigate adverse impacts of the pandemic.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng Covid-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino (I know that it is difficult at this time, we are in a crisis due to Covid-19. Let’s just help one another, let us be compassionate to our fellow Filipinos),” Go said.

He encouraged those in need of medical care to visit the Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City or the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist them with their medical-related expenses.

To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Staunch advocate for improving access to quality health care services, Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act in 2019 to give poor and indigent patients convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

An adopted son of Calabarzon, he recognized the hard work and commitment of the local leaders for ensuring that no Batangueño is left behind toward recovery.

As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also helped secure funding for the concreting of several roads in Santa Teresita.

He also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas and Taal; concreting of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Laurel, Nasugbu and Tuy; acquisition of ambulances in Ibaan and Lemery; and acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan.

Go’s team conducted a similar relief effort for more indigents in Tanauan City last May 5.