SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go encouraged fellow Filipinos to patronize local businesses as he underscored their role in revitalizing communities and the country’s economy.

The senator made the call when he visited the province of Misamis Oriental on Tuesday, October 4, and personally extended aid to small business owners from El Salvador City and from the towns of Opol, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Naawan, Manticao, Lugait, Laguindingan, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Claveria.

The senator has been consistent in pushing for stronger government interventions for struggling small businesses, noting, “The micro, small and medium enterprises are considered as the backbone of our economy. Filipinos are hardworking and clever in life. If they will be given the right help and training, their businesses will grow further.”

“I hope the agencies of the government can consider this. Let’s help our MSMEs to revive their businesses because they will also revive our economy, especially now that we are in a middle of a crisis due to Covid-19,” he added.

At the start of the 19th Congress, the senator filed a bill institutionalizing the Department of Trade and Industry’s “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program to help boost recovery and promote innovation among MSMEs.

The measure aims to assist and capacitate MSMEs in developing new, innovative and more complex products and services through significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, sustainability, and securing licenses, product registration and other market authorization, among others.

The senator was likewise instrumental in the implementation of the Small Business Wage Subsidy program even at the height of the pandemic. The program provided eligible workers who were unable to work or get paid during the enhanced community quarantine period with two tranches of financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Go and his outreach team distributed meals, grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and shirts to 301 beneficiaries who gathered at the Tagoloan Dome.

Go likewise provided bicycles, cell phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended livelihood assistance grants to the qualified recipients.

The senator encouraged those eligible, yet unvaccinated, to secure their complete vaccine and booster shots against Covid-19.

Go, who also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has likewise supported the rehabilitation of roads in several towns, and the construction of flood mitigation structures and water supply systems in Tagoloan.

In demonstration of his unwavering commitment to provide more Filipinos with quality health care, the senator also supported the construction of four Super Health Centers in the towns of Binuangan, Balubal, San Simon and Libertad in Misamis Oriental.