Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the government’s earlier decision to provide special financial assistance to the residents of Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental who were affected by the imposition of enhanced community quarantine restrictions initially from July 16 to 31 and recently extended to August 7.

The funds for the undertaking were sourced and transferred from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to the concerned local governments which shall be responsible for distributing the said aid.

“Nakikiusap ako sa gobyerno na bilisan na ang pamamahagi ng ayuda sa mga naapektuhan ng ECQ sa lugar nila. Siguraduhin dapat na nakarating sa mga nangangailangan ang ayuda na inilaan sa kanila,” said Go.

The quarantine status of the areas mentioned were raised upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque then earlier announced that the national government will extend assistance to the affected LGUs.

As a Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go had previously issued a personal appeal to all implementing agencies to fast-track the release of the Supplemental Amelioration Program following the previous impositions of ECQ in identified critical areas.

The Senator explained that part of the government’s mission to save lives must include addressing the issues of hunger and poverty especially during crisis situations.

“Ako naman, bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, ang prayoridad natin ay makapagligtas ng buhay ng mga Pilipino. Kaakibat diyan ang pagsigurong maiiwasan hindi lang ang sakit, kundi pati rin po ang gutom at kahirapan,” said Go.

“Dahil kinailangan mag deklara ng ECQ, dapat lang na ibigay rin natin ang anumang tulong na kaya nating ibigay para sa mga tao. Habang pinipilit nating manatili sila sa bahay, siguraduhin rin nating ligtas sila at may pang-kain sa kanilang pamilya,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go urged the executive department to also ensure that assistance will be given to the poorest of the poor that will be most affected when ECQ is reimposed in NCR from August 6 to 20.

“Ang apela ko sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno ay siguraduhing merong sapat na pondo para mabigyan ng ayuda ang mga pinakamahihirap at pinakanangangailangan na kababayan natin sa mga lugar na magiging under ng ECQ,” he said in a statement.

“Tandaan natin na may mga pamilyang pinapakain ang mga kababayan nating pansamantalang mawawalan ng kabuhayan, lalo na ang mga daily wage earners at mga isang kahig, isang tuka. Kaya dapat handa ang gobyerno na mabigyan sila ng pantawid kahit konti. Habang nilalabanan natin ang COVID-19, dapat tugunan din natin ang gutom at kahirapan na epekto nito,” he added.

The Senator said that the Department of Budget and Management are working on identifying where the needed aid will be sourced from.

Aside from the reimposition of ECQ and border controls, Go is also appealing for the reinforcement of contact tracing and genome sequencing, the augmentation of healthcare facilities and hastening of the country’s vaccine rollout.

“Huwag nating sayangin ang magandang takbo ng vaccine rollout ngayon. Gaya ng sabi ng Pangulo, posibleng maging mas maluwag ang restrictions o mas malaya ka kapag protektado ka ng bakuna,” he said.

“Pakiusap po, sumunod po tayo sa mga patakaran at magpabakuna na bago maging huli ang lahat. Ang inyong disiplina at kooperasyon ay makakapagligtas ng buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino. Konting sakripisyo ito katumbas ang mga buhay na mapoproteksyunan natin,” he added.

Go reiterated that the government is prepared to overcome these challenges as long as Filipinos cooperate and remain united towards the collective goal of protecting lives.