PASAY CITY -- Following their similar relief operations in neighboring towns of Lal-lo, Gattaran, Amulung, and Baggao, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to assist more communities in Cagayan province that were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, August 5.
Through his video message during the distribution activities conducted at Allacapan Municipal Gym in Allacapan, People’s Gym in Tuguegarao City, and Brgy. Centro Uno Covered Court in Tuao, Go appealed to the 524 beneficiaries to strictly adhere to health preventive measures as the government strives to achieve population protection and herd immunity.
Being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also encouraged the public to take advantage of the vaccination program and get inoculated immediately to protect themselves and their community.
The Senator further stressed the importance of getting vaccinated, especially since there are rising numbers of cases caused by the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19. He then asked the local government to promptly roll out the vaccines to residents once doses are delivered to their respective areas.
“Pakiusap po namin ni Pangulong Duterte, ‘pag nasa priority list kayo na frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners, mga indigents, magpabakuna na ho kayo,” said Go.
“Mga kababayan ko, libre naman po ang bakuna. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna,” he added.
As imposed by the government, Go’s team implemented necessary safety and health protocols during the relief operations and grouped the recipients into smaller batches to avoid the further spread of the virus. The beneficiaries then received essentials, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins from Senator Go.
Furthermore, selected recipients were given new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use for a more convenient commute while others received computer tablets that their children could use to access educational materials.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were also present and gave livelihood assistance grants to each recipient from Tuguegarao City and Tuao to help them embark on possible economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries from Allacapan received financial assistance and livelihood support from DSWD and the Department of Labor and Employment, respectively.
Sonny Garcia, 40, said that he needs to remain persistent to make sure that he will be able to sustain his family. As a tricycle driver and vendor, Garcia shared that the pandemic created problems for his family but he remains optimistic that they will be able to recover.
“Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa hinatid at binigay nila Presidente Duterte at Kuya Bong Go na nagbigay sa amin ng tulong na kahit papano madadagdagan ang puhunan. Laking tulong po sa amin nito,” Garcia expressed.
The Senator extended further aid to residents with health concerns as he advised them to visit Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City where they can take advantage of medical assistance programs offered by the Malasakit Center.
