PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reassured small business owners hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that the national government is committed to helping them get back on their feet and boost economic recovery.
In a video message at a relief operation in Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu and Kayapa in Nueva Vizcaya on Wednesday, July 28, Go said micro-entrepreneurs may avail of assistance to cover qualifying expenses through the relief programs and other interventions that have been provided to date.
“Mga kababayan, alam naming mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Maraming negosyo ang nagsara at dahil dito, maraming Pilipino ang nawalan ng trabaho. Kaya kailangan natin magtulungan, magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa,” he began.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala. Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang i-balanse ang kalusugan ng bayan at ang pangangailangan ninyong magtrabaho para sa inyong mga pamilya,” he reassured.
The Senator’s staff provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 537 micro-entrepreneurs at the Barangay San Antonio South Gym in Bambang, Dupax del Norte municipal gym, Kasibu Central School, and St. Joseph Parish Gym in Kayapa.
Selected recipients were given shoes while others received bicycles to help them travel amid the limited public transportation options available. Some were also provided computer tablets to help their children who are studying under the blended learning approach.
As part of an ongoing government effort to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable sectors, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided assistance grants through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.
The Department of Agriculture handed out vegetable seeds and grafted fruit tree seedlings as well as turned over new delivery trucks to the local farming cooperatives.
In the meantime, the Department of Health distributed medicines and vitamins. The Department of Trade and Industry committed to extended further aid based on its existing assistance programs upon completing its assessments.
“Isa akong construction worker. Nung wala pang pandemya, maayos pa ang trabaho. Ngayon, ang hirap ng buhay. Bumaba na ang kita namin kaya nagsa-sideline nalang ako at nagtatanim sa bukid para may maipakain ako sa aking pamilya,” shared Mark Anthony Tablang, 25, a resident of Dupax del Norte.