PASAY CITY, Nov. 17 — As typhoon after typhoon battered the country and displaced many Filipinos, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to provide aid to more families in Albay that were hit by Super Typhoon Rolly in three separate distribution activities held on November 14 and 15.
“Kumusta po kayo? Galing po ako ng Catanduanes noong nakaraang Martes at nariyan po ang aking staff sa Bicol para patuloy pong mag-iikot at para makatulong po tayo diyan. Hindi rin po kayo pababayaan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno na handang tumulong sa inyo,” Go said in a video call.
Go’s team provided free meals, food packs, masks, face shields and vitamins to 763 families in Guinobatan held at the town plaza. The Senator’s team also distributed aid to 351 families from Bacacay where distribution was held at its municipal hall.
The same assistance was also given to 281 families in Malinao town in a distribution activity held at the Sugcad Elementary School. All distribution activities were carried out while complying with necessary health and safety protocols issued by the government to avoid the further spread of COVID-19.
Go’s team had been deployed in various typhoon-hit areas in Albay since November 13 to distribute various assistances. These include series of repeat distribution of immediate assistance in Tabaco City, Legazpi City, and the towns of Guinobatan, Bacacay and Malinao.
“Mayroong ipinadala akong mga masks at face shields. Mayroon din po akong ipinadala na mga bitamina, pampalakas po ito ng resistensya. Kapag malakas po ang resistensya ninyo ay malakas po ang immune system ninyo na labanan ang COVID,” he added.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also reminded everyone to wear masks and face shields whenever they are in public, observe social distancing, and wash their hands frequently, among others, in order to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. He vowed that government would prioritize poor and vulnerable sectors once a vaccine for the virus is available.
“Huwag ho kayong mag-alala, kapag mayroon na hong safe na vaccine, uunahin namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte na mga mahihirap. Uunahin namin kayong mga vulnerable ‘pag mayroon na pong safe vaccine,” Go said.
Meanwhile, selected beneficiaries were given tablets so their children could participate in the blended learning being implemented in schools. Others were provided bicycles that they could use to commute to work given the limited public transportation options.
“Mayroon din po akong pinadala na bisikleta para magamit ninyo. At mayroon din po akong pinadala para sa mga estudyante po mga computer tablets po, magagamit po ‘yan sa mga estudyante, sa mga anak ninyo,” Go said.
“Pakiusap ko lang po sa mga bata, mag-aral kayo ng mabuti. ‘Yan lang po ang puhunan natin dito sa mundong ito at ‘yan po ang nagpapasaya sa ating mga magulang. Kasi po ang mga magulang ay nagpapakamatay para lang mapag-aral ang mga anak nila po,” Go reminded.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were present to distribute separate additional cash assistance under their program which provides assistance to individuals in crisis.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture also awarded packages to Malinao beneficiaries, which included hybrid palay seeds, bags of urea fertilizer, packs of foliar fertilizer, bags of conventional yellow corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, garden tools, and plant growth enhancers.
Go also informed beneficiaries that they may avail of medical assistance for their healthcare needs from the nearest Malasakit Center located at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legaspi City, Albay.
“Kapag may problema kayo sa inyong kalusugan, ‘wag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin. Nariyan na rin ang Malasakit Center diyan sa Albay para tulungan kayo sa inyong pangangailangan sa kalusugan. Nariyan na ang DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth at PCSO,” the Senator explained.
“Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, mahal niyo man kami o hindi, patuloy kami na magseserbisyo sa inyo, dahil para sa amin po ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go ended. (OSBG)
