Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, has committed to help tour guides cope with the current coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, sent them health kits, and gave assurance of free hospitalization through the Malasakit Center.

In a statement on Monday, Go said at least 695 individuals whose jobs and livelihoods were affected by the global health crisis gathered in the southern Cebu town of Samboan to receive meals, face masks, shields and vitamins from the senator.

During the distribution of the assistance last Tuesday, Go assured the beneficiaries that, together with the government, he would push for the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.

The senator also gave out new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected recipients to help with their commute situation amid limited transportation options.

There were a few who got computer tablets for their children who are still under the blended learning system due to the pandemic.

Go lauded other government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for providing additional assistance to the beneficiaries.

“Alam ko po na mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng Covid-19, marami po ang nawalan ng trabaho, marami po ang nagsara na negosyo at apektado po ang ating ekonomiya, nabigla po tayo dito sa krisis na ito (I know how tough our time now, we are in a crisis caused by Covid-19, many have lost their jobs, many businesses have closed and our economy is affected, we are shocked by this crisis),” he said in a video message to southern Cebu tour guides.

Go urged them to invoke God’s help and strengthen the faith that the crisis will soon come to an end.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the tourism industry, Go reassured that he will continue to push for a whole-of-nation approach to work towards reviving the once booming sector and help regain its growth to aid in economic recovery.

He also encouraged the tour guides to avail of the one-stop shop medical assistance service from the Malasakit Centers situated in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium Hospital in Mandaue City, Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

“Those tour guides who have lost their livelihood and lost their jobs, let’s just work together. President (Rodrigo) Duterte and I will help you as much as we can. The important thing is that we overcome the pandemic that we are facing now,” Go said in Cebuano.

Meanwhile, the senator said he is pushing for funding for various infrastructure projects, such as the improvement of the waterworks system in Alcoy, construction of a Multi-Purpose Building in Barili, rehabilitation of public market in Consolacion, construction of a seven-storey main building for Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and many others as part of his efforts to help further boost the regional development. (PNA)