PASAY CITY -- During the distribution of assistance for hundreds of underprivileged residents of Aparri and Camalaniugan towns in Cagayan, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, urged national and local authorities to expedite further the deployment of vaccines against COVID-19 in critical areas. He reminded them to also allocate sufficient doses for priority groups in far-flung communities.

“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga LGUs, sa ating national government, magtulungan po tayo. Kung kailangan po suyurin natin ‘yung mga senior citizens para po protektado sila,” the Senator said.

Go also expressed his concern that there are Filipinos who are still reluctant to take part in the vaccination program as he appealed to the beneficiaries to get inoculated as soon as they are eligible in accordance with the vaccination guidelines. He further conveyed that getting vaccinated is key for the country to return to normalcy.

“Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19,” said Go.

Two separate relief efforts were conducted at Aparri Municipal Grounds in Aparri and Catotoran Norte High School in Camalaniugan for 369 and 243 recipients, respectively, both on Sunday, July 18.

Go’s team implemented necessary safety and health protocols and ensured well-coordinated distributions as they grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches while they handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.

In addition, Go gave some recipients new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use. Others, then, received computer tablets that are intended to help their children easily access educational materials as they pursue their education under the blended learning approach.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang tayo, magbayanihan ho tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” said Go in his video message.

To further help them support their daily needs, staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development evaluated beneficiaries who will potentially receive livelihood assistance grants through their Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Motivated to grow her sari-sari store business, Lorna Padre thanked Go for bringing aid to their family as it will greatly help them manage their daily essentials. Padre further shared that she will remain hopeful that her family, as well as her community, will build back better amid the economic challenges caused by the pandemic.

“Senator Bong Go, salamat po, lalong-lalo na sa binigay niyo po sa amin na ganitong pagkakataon. Gayundin po na sana marami pang mga programa din po na upang sa ganun ay matulungan na lagay namin. Maraming-maraming salamat po at ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong mga layunin,” Padre said.

“Kahit na anong mga batikos po na sinasabi po nila sa inyo hindi po ito rason na hindi kayo tutulong sa amin kundi ito po ‘yung reason upang sa ganun po ay lalo pa kaming tulungan,” she added.

Part of Go’s commitment as a Senator is to provide Filipinos with convenient access to quality healthcare services, that is why he principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act to ensure that low-income Filipinos can conveniently access medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go, then, offered residents with medical concerns further assistance as he advised them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center in Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City.

Go recognized local officials, led by Representative Ramon Nolasco, Governor Manuel “Manny” Mamba, Vice Governor Melvin “Boy” Vargas Jr., Aparri Mayor Bryan Dale Chan and Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, Camalaniugan Mayor Angelica Cabaddu dela Cruz and Vice Mayor Isidro Cabaddu, among others, for their untiring service during these challenging times.

To boost economic opportunities and further improve the delivery of public services, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier supported the funding for the concreting of the farm-to-market road in Aparri and installation of streetlights in Camalaniugan.

He also supported various infrastructure initiatives in the province, such as the construction of a multi-purpose building hall in Sanchez-Mira; concreting or improvement of roads in Aparri, Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Gonzaga, Iguig, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Enrile, Tuao, Tuguegarao City; and many more.

Go’s team conducted similar distribution activities from July 12 to 17 in the neighboring towns, including Claveria, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Lasam, Sanchez-Mira, Iguig, Alcala, Sta. Teresita, Buguey, Santa Ana, and Gonzaga. (OSBG)