PASAY CITY -- On Friday, July 30, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's office arranged a relief distribution effort for the people of Bantayan Island, Cebu, whose lives and livelihoods had been devastated by the assault of Typhoon Ursula in 2019. This is part of his continuing assistance to the victims to help them recover from the typhoon.

“Nandiyan po ang gobyerno para tulungan kayo makabangon muli. Hindi kayo nag-iisa. Talagang hirap ang bawat Pilipino ngayon kaya kailangan natin magmalasakit at magtulungan para malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok na ito,” Go said in a video message.

Recognizing the need for every Filipino family to have decent homes, Go filed Senate Bill No. 203, also called the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Bill last July 2019. It seeks to generate and mobilize funds to increase low-cost housing production; provide support mechanisms to improve access to housing options; guarantee the development of a strong, sustainable, accessible and affordable housing finance system; and increase private sector participation, among others.

He also filed in December 2019 another bill seeking to provide more assistance. SBN 1227 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act intends to provide families displaced by natural and man-made disasters with improved access to the formal housing market by offering a rental subsidy.

Meanwhile, Go’s outreach teams provided meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 122 families at the Bantayan Municipal Gym. The distribution was carried out in batches while strictly complying with health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Selected beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes while some were given bicycles so they can travel with ease amid the limited transportation options available. Others were provided computer tablets to enhance their children’s learning experience under the blended learning set-up.

One of the beneficiaries, Ariel Rosalio, described his hardships trying to earn money for his family. He also thanked the Senator for the aid he received.

“Noon kumikita ako ng mahigit tatlong daan, ngayon isang daan na lang. Ang hirap talaga, minsan naghihirap sa pagkain sa pambili ng bigas dahil sa income na wala talaga,” Rosalio said.

“Masaya kami ngayon dahil sa ganitong tulong na rin, salamat sa inyong lahat. Salamat, senator sir, tinulungan mo kami dito dahil sayo makakakain ang pamilya namin ng masarap-sarap at makakabili bili ng vitamins. Salamat talaga, sir!” he thanked.

As part of the government's efforts to help communities in distress, various national agencies also participated in the activity and delivered separate forms of aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance while the National Housing Authority provided housing assistance.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, offered scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry committed to extend further assistance upon completing their assessments.

In his message, Go further offered assistance to any resident needing medical care. He informed them that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital both in Cebu City, Talisay City District Hospital in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, or Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

First launched in Cebu City in 2018, the centers serve as one-stop shops for the medical assistance programs offered by the national government, specifically the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The assistance covers laboratories, medicines, surgeries and other patient services and expenses. There are currently 133 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

The Senator went on to express his gratitude to various officials for their efforts to ensure the well-being of their affected constituents, namely 4th District Representative Janice Salimbangon, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Governor Hilario Davide, Mayor Art Despi, Vice Mayor Antonio Montemar, and the rest of the local officials.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he supported numerous projects in Bantayan Island, such as the construction of a multipurpose building.

He also supported infrastructure projects throughout Cebu, including the funding of road improvements in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carcar City, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Naga City, Pinamungahan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, Cebu City and Talisay City; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; acquisition of ambulance units in Madrilejos and Naga City; and improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan, and many more.

He emphasized that his efforts to support and protect the welfare of Cebuanos will always be a priority as he works with their local leaders in improving the lives of fellow Bisaya communities.

"Mga kaigsuonan, mga Bisaya, daghang salamat sa inyong tabang sa amoa ni Presidente Duterte. Kami pud, mga Bisaya man pud mi, utang kabubut-on, dili kalimtan. Ug timan-i ninyo, mga Bisaya, pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," he finally said.

(Translation: "Sa mga kapatid ko, mga Bisaya, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong sa amin ni Presidente Duterte. Kami rin, mga Bisaya rin kami, utang na loob, hindi nalilimutan. At tandaan ninyo, mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte.") (OSBG)