The Manila Times

Go gives assistance to typhoon victims

- JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

AS support to the government’s commitment in helping communitie­s affected by strong typhoons, an outreach team of Sen. Christophe­r Lawrence “Bong” Go extended additional aid to residents of San Isidro in Surigao del Norte on April 14.

The relief activity was conducted in batches at the San Isidro Central Elementary School with a total of 289 beneficiar­ies given meals, vitamins, masks and face shields by the senator’s staff while observing health and safety protocols.

Selected beneficiar­ies from the poorest sections of the community also received bicycles and new pairs of shoes. Others were given computer tablets for their children to use in educationa­l activities under the blended learning approach.

“Pakiusap, isuot ninyo ang mga masks at face shields dahil delikado ang panahon ngayon. Ang mahalaga ay buhay tayo. Ang pera pwedeng kitain pero ang buhay ay hindi nabibili (Please wear your masks and face shields because it is dangerous at this time. What is important is that we are alive. Money can be earned but life cannot be bought),” Go said in a video message.

“Mag-cooperate at magtiis-tiis muna tayo. ‘Pag tapos na mabakunaha­n ang mga frontliner­s, isusunod namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat ng mga mahihirap at vulnerable (Cooperate and be patient. After vaccinatin­g the frontliner­s, all the poor and vulnerable will be next).”

The senator also promised to extend further aid to any resident struggling to pay for their hospital bills.

He encouraged them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City and apply for medical assistance from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop initiated and authored into law by Go which provides quick and convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Developmen­t (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstake­s Office.

In addition, as part of a holistic set of interventi­ons by the national government for individual­s in crisis situations, personnel from the Department­s of Labor and Employment and Trade and Industry also participat­ed in the activity and conducted an assessment of beneficiar­ies in need of alternativ­e employment and livelihood options, respective­ly.

The DSWD also extended financial assistance and grocery packs to ensure each beneficiar­y has access to food and other basic necessitie­s.

Among those present during the activities were Mayor Lamberto Domiños Jr., Vice Mayor Rudy Malaza and Councilors Rusty Camingue, Norberto Dulpina, Jayl Dulpina, Benjamin Liscano, Felisa Domiños, Porferia Peligro, Riel Perucho and Rona Dulpina.

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