Sen. Bong Go extended assistance to hundreds of disadvantaged residents in Torrijos, Sta. Cruz and Boac, Marinduque as part of his commitment to help create more livelihood opportunities for Filipinos amid the ongoing pandemic.

Go's staff handed out masks, snacks and shirts to 296 individuals at the Torrijos Covered Court, Sta. Cruz Municipal Hall, and Casa Real in Boac from 28 to 30 September. In addition, they gave away bicycles, shoes, cellular phones and balls for basketball to select individuals.

As part of the government's holistic support for struggling sectors, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended livelihood grants to help the residents kickstart their own small business.

"Salamat po sa DSWD sa programang SLP-LAG. Bibigyan ho kayo puhunan, tuturuan ho kayong magnegosyo, tuturuan ho kayong palaguin ang inyong negosyo," Go expressed in his video message.

"Mas masarap po ang pakiramdam 'pag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan n'yo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo. At dalahin n'yo po ang inyong kita sa inyong mga pamilya," he continued.

In his video message, Go, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered help to those in need of medical attention and encouraged them to seek aid from the Malasakit Center at Marinduque Provincial Hospital in Boac.

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program provides one-stop shops designed to help poor and indigent patients with their medical-related expenses by bringing together all concerned agencies that offer medical assistance programs, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office.