Go distributes assistance to Boracay fire victims

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, urged local authorities and tourism stakeholders to protect the lives, safety and health of citizens amid COVID-19 pandemic.

He stressed that local authorities and tourism stakeholders must protect the health and safety of people while carefully balancing efforts to jumpstart the economy as Boracay Island begins to accept tourists.

"Binuksan na po ang Boracay, kaya pakiusap ko lang, sundin po natin ang mga patakaran para maproteksyunan ang ating kalusugan at ang inyong kabuhayan. Importante na makabalik tayo sa normal na pamumuhay pero mas importante na maprotektahan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino," Go said in a press release.

"Palaging magsuot ng mask at face shield. 'Wag tayong magkumpyansa, binabalanse natin ang lahat, ang ekonomiya at pangkabuhayan natin," Go added as he addressed residents in a video call on Thursday, October 22, during the distribution of assistance for fire victims held at the Covered Court in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc in Malay, Aklan.

He said "Uulitin ko, importante po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Unti-unti tayong nagbubukas subalit alagaan natin ang ating kalusugan. Maghugas ng kamay, mag-social distancing. Kung di kailangan, 'wag muna lumabas ng pamamahay."

Boracay began accepting tourists last October 1 after months of closure due to the pandemic with concomitant travel restrictions and quarantine measures.

The opening is a result of a special meeting done by Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) led by its Chair, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, together with the secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Tourism, and the provincial government of Aklan.

Among the measures imposed by the council is the "Test Before Travel" rule which will require all visitors to have a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result 48 to 72 hours prior to travelling to the island.

Go wants to make sure that the island and its residents continue to be safe from diseases and live healthily while tourism and local industries are promoted.

Meanwhile, the Senator's team distributed aid to residents in the island who were affected by a fire incident late last year.

Around 300 beneficiaries received food packs, masks, and face shields.

The distribution was conducted while strictly complying with the required health protocols.

"Ang opisina ko po merong pinadalang food packs, mga grocery, at pagkain. Pati mask at face shield para maprotektahan kayo. Isa lang ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, gamitin n'yo ito, suotin n'yo po, dahil delikado pa po ang panahon ngayon," Go said.

Go had already provided relief assistance to the fire victims last year, immediately after the fire incident occurred.

The Senator then assured that once the vaccine is available, the poor and vulnerable will be prioritized.

"'Wag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa, pag may vaccine na safe ay uunahin namin ang mahihirap. Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, uunahin namin ang mahihirap at mga vulnerable pagdating sa serbisyo para makabalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay kung saan po pwede nating mayakap ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Ito ang parati kong inaasam," he said.

Due to limited public transportation and the need for local residents to commute to work, Go also distributed bicycles to select beneficiaries. He also gave away tablets to another set of recipients to support their children's education.

"Meron din akong pinadalang tablets para magamit sa pag-aaral ng inyong mga anak. Pakiusap ko lang sa kabataan, kung maaari lang po mag-aral kayong mabuti. 'Yan lang po ang magpapasaya sa mga magulang tulad ko. Ang mga magulang nagpapakamatay para mapag-aral ang mga anak. Edukasyon ang tanging puhunan natin sa mundong ito," the Senator reminded.

Personnel from the National Housing Authority were also present during the relief distribution activity.

Through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program, the agency provided additional housing assistance to the fire victims.

Despite the ongoing public health crisis, the Senator continues to reach out and extend much needed assistance to Filipinos in crisis situations.

"Patuloy akong tutulong, lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap at mga pinaka-apektado ng krisis. Bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo sa inyo. Tuloy dapat ang serbisyo lalo na sa panahong hirap na hirap na ang mga kapwa nating Pilipino. Gagawin po natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya para magbigay ng tulong at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati," Go said. (PIA6/OSBG)