Committed to protecting the welfare of Filipinos amid disasters, Sen. Bong Go, together with Sen. Robin Padilla, on 31 July responded to the needs of victims of the recent earthquake in Bangued and Lagangilang, Abra.
On 27 July a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit northwestern Luzon and adjacent areas including Metro Manila, with the town of Tayum in Abra as epicenter.
Before personally leading two separate relief operations for the affected families, Go and Padilla inspected the quake-hit areas in Barangay Sta. Rosa in Bangued.
“Bagamat kaunti lang po itong tulong naming personal sa inyo, (ang) importante po ay makaahon tayo dito sa krisis (at) sa sakuna. Magtulungan lang po tayo,” Go said in his speech.
“Pinaparating din po ni (dating) Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang pakikiramay sa inyo, at mahal niya kayo. Kami ni Robin, mahal namin kayo. Ang importante ay makaiwan kami ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati.
Held at the Asist Gymnasium in Lagangilang and Bangued Plaza, Go and his team provided grocery packs, meals, vitamins, masks and shirts to 1,692 affected residents. The senator also gave phablets and shoes to select recipients.
As part of his efforts to continue former President Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs, Go distributed bicycles, volleyballs and basketballs to some residents.
Go likewise offered additional support to people in need of medical care. He encouraged them to visit any of the six Malasakit Centers in the region where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.
The centers are one-stop shops which streamline the process of requesting medical assistance from the relevant agencies, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are currently 151 Malasakit Centers that have helped more than three million patients nationwide.
The centers in the region are located at Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center, and Conner District Hospital, both in Apayao; Benguet General Hospital in Benguet; Bontoc General Hospital and Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital, both in Mountain Province; and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City.