PASAY CITY -- As the spread of COVID-19 continues to threaten lives and livelihoods across the country, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for greater access to government support programs for women workers struggling to provide for their families in order to overcome the pandemic.
His team mounted a relief operation for a total of 40 women farmers, fishers and market vendors in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Wednesday, August 11. A similar effort was held for 524 micro-entrepreneurs in the same city, Allacapan and Tuao on Thursday, August 5.
To help address their immediate needs, Go’s team provided each beneficiary with meals, vitamins, masks and face shields at the People’s Gym. The distribution was carried out in batches to ensure all health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.
Selected recipients received new pairs of shoes while some were provided bicycles so they can have better access to basic needs and services amid the pandemic. Others were given computer tablets for their children’s educational needs.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Agriculture were likewise present and distributed livelihood grants under its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance in a separate distribution.
“Nung bumaha, nahirapan kami. Hindi kami makapagtinda. Wala din kami may maitinda kasi umabot ang baha hanggang sa tuhod at wala kaming ma-harvest. Nagpapasalamat ako sa natanggap namin at malaking bagay ito para kami ay makabigay ng magandang kinabukasan sa aming mga pamilya at makatulong sa mga ibang nangangailangan din,” said Salvacion Kasilana, a farmer and vendor.
“Maraming salamat kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte at Senator Bong Go para sa lahat, lalung-lalo na para sa aking bagong bisikleta na makakatulong sa akin magtinda ng gulay,” she added.
In a video message at the activity, the Senator encouraged the beneficiaries to always observe social distancing, frequent hand washing, and respiratory etiquette by wearing masks and face shields at all times so they can safeguard their health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
“Mga kababayan, mag-ingat po tayo dahil kung tataas ang bilang ng mga kaso ay napipilitan ang gobyerno na mag-impose ng mahigpit na restrictions. Kailangan ng gobyerno ang kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat isa. Kahit bakunado na kayo, marami pa ang hindi, kaya dapat protektahan din natin sila,” said Go.
In the meantime, the Senator offered medical assistance to the beneficiaries to make sure their health concerns are addressed and strongly advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City.
First established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipino patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from the concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito. At kung may naiwang balanse, may iniwan rin na pondo ang Office of the President ... Target po nito na maging zero balance o wala na kayong babayaran sa inyung pagpa-ospital,” continued Go.
Go went on to thank various public officials for their efforts to keep their constituents safe through the past year, namely 3rd District Representative Joseph Lara; Governor Manuel Mamba; Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr.; Mayor Jefferson Soriano; Vice Mayor Bienvenido de Guzman II; Councilors Maila Que, Imogen Callangan, Gilbert Labang, Danilo Baccay, Ronaldo Ortiz, Arnel Arugay, Mary Martin-Chan, Winnoco Abraham, Grace Arago, Raymund Guzman, Karina Gauani, Gil Pagulayan, and Karen Taguinod.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has pushed for the funding of various infrastructure projects in Cagayan to improve public service delivery and boost economic opportunities. Among these are the improvement or concreting of existing roads in Tuguegarao City, Aparri, Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Gonzaga, Iguig, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Enrile and Tuao; installation of streetlights in Camalaniugan; and construction of a multi-purpose building in Sanchez-Mira. (OSBG)
