PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, July 13, carried out its second day of relief distribution for unemployed and low-income Cagayanons who are facing financial hurdles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go’s personnel distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to 331 and 194 beneficiaries at the Abulug and Ballesteros municipal gymnasiums, respectively.

Select beneficiaries were also given new pairs of shoes while some were equipped with bicycles. Others received computer tablets which their children can use for their blended learning activities.

A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood Program so beneficiaries can set up their own microenterprises and generate sufficient income to take care of their families.

“Sa mga kapatid ko diyan sa Cagayan, sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Patuloy ang ating opisina na umiikot para makapagbigay ng kaunting tulong sa mga kababayan nating hirap sa panahong ito. Nandidiyan rin ang gobyerno na may hiwalay na tulong. Gamitin niyo ang natanggap niyong pera para palaguin ang inyong mga negosyo at dalhin niyo ang kikitain niyo sa inyong mga pamilya,” Go said in a video message.

The Senator further offered to assist any resident requiring medical treatment. He advised them to seek medical assistance from the Malasakit Center located at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City.

The center is a one-stop shop in which patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go is the main author of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Mahirap nun ang buhay kahit nagtatrabaho kaming dalawa ng aking asawa. Nung natanggal siya sa trabaho, naisipan namin mag-loan nalang at magsimula ng chicken poultry. Naging okay naman ito pero naging matumal ang benta nung nagka-pandemya,” said Marinel Olibas, 31, a resident of Abulug.

“Sa ating mahal na Presidente at Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat sa ibinigay niyong napakalaking tulong dito sa aming lugar. Sana pagpalain pa kayo ng Diyos at marami pa kayong matulungan,” she continued.

For their continuing support for their affected constituents, the Senator thanked 2nd District Representative Samantha Vargas Alfonso who was represented by Board Member Paul Vargas during the activity; Governor Manuel Mamba; Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr.; Abulug Mayor Jesus A. Vargas and Vice Mayor Jesus P. Vargas; and Ballesteros Mayor Vincent Unite, Vice Mayor Violeta Unite and Association of Barangay Captains President Tomas Dela Pena.

To boost the economic opportunities and further improve the delivery of public services in Cagayan, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier supported the funding for the construction of the Zinundungan River control system; installation of streetlights in Camalaniugan; as well as improvements of various roads in Aparri, Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Gonzaga, Iguig, Santa Teresita, Tuao, Santa Ana, and Tuguegarao City, among others.

His team extended similar aid to hundreds of residents in Claveria and Pamplona the previous day, July 12. All activities were carried out in batches and strict compliance with other health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (OSBG)