PASAY CITY -- Continuing his relief efforts for the victims of recent calamities in Cagayan province, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team conduct another series of activities on Friday, October 22, for the residents of Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, and Claveria who are still recovering from the effects of Typhoon Maring.

“Patuloy kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na tumutulong sa mga tinamaan ng bagyo dahil para sa amin, walang tulog dapat ang serbisyo. Wala kaming pinipiling araw para puntahan kayo para magbigay ng solusyon sa mga problema at mag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go reassured in a video message.

“Huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyerno, ni Pangulong Duterte na palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon,” he added.

The team organized the distribution activities at the respective municipal gymnasiums of Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, and Pamplona where they handed out meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 750 typhoon victims. The activities were held in batches to ensure all health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly observed.

Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave the residents financial assistance to further help them sustain their daily needs as they recover from the damages caused by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture extended livelihood assistance through their respective support programs.

Go, who also serves as the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged those with health concerns to avail of medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center at Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City. Senator Go personally conducted a monitoring visit in CVMC on October 18 to ensure continued operations to help patients in need of medical assistance amid the ongoing health crisis.

The center is a one-stop shop that puts concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, that aims to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount.

Go likewise encouraged the residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and reaffirmed that the government continues to acquire sufficient doses to ensure every qualified Filipino is well-protected from the harmful effects of the virus.

“Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang i-balanse ang mga pangangailangan at kalusugan niyo. Siyempre, pinaka-importante ang buhay ng tao pero naiintindihan namin na kailangan niyo rin maghanapbuhay, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga ‘isang kahig, isang tuka’,” said Go.

"Kaya mga kababayan, tulungan niyo ang pamahalaan at magtiwala tayo sa bakuna. Kapag nasa priority list kayo, magpabakuna na kayo. Iyan ang susi upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay," he added.

Ending his remarks, Senator Go thanked the local officials of each municipality for their dedication and commitment to serve their communities during these trying times.

As Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several infrastructure initiatives in the province, including the construction of a multi-purpose building hall and a public park in Sanchez-Mira; several road improvements in Baggao, Calayan, Enrile, Iguig, Lal-lo, Sta. Teresita, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Aparri; and installation of streetlights in and the acquisition of an ambulance unit for the local government of Camalaniugan.

On October 18, Senator Go personally visited Buguey and Santa Teresita where he spearheaded the relief efforts for 600 typhoon victims. Go’s team then conducted another series of distribution activities to thousands more in Aparri, Tuguegarao City, Gattaran, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana from October 19 to 21. (OSBG)