WHILE personally visiting victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged government agencies to ensure the prompt distribution of typhoon-related aid to their constituents in greatest need.

“Alam n’yo, kung ano ‘yung available na food packs… o ano pa mang mga delata d’yan, kesa naman masira, ipamigay na sa tao,” said Go.

“Importante po ngayon walang magutom na Pilipino. Sa totoo lang, pera naman ng taumbayan yan,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for an end to bureaucratic delays in the distribution of aid to those affected by disasters. Marcos has instead ordered government officials to ensure that all forms of government support and assistance will reach those who require them.

Go himself emphasized the urgency of providing aid and services to those who need them the most in the wake of the disaster, and he urged government agencies to not delay their delivery.

“Tayong nasa gobyerno, halimbawa, DSWD, ‘wag nyo na patagalin. Kahit madoble, matriple, ibigay natin sa mga kababayan natin,” said Go.

“Naghihirap na, nag-aadjust pa ‘yan. Ibig sabihin, ang iba d’yan nasiraan ng bahay, wala pang panahon na bumili ng mga pagkain at delata. Ang iba walang pambili, so dapat tulungan natin ang mga kababayan natin, tulungan natin ang mahihirap,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Go encouraged the public to remain cooperative and continue the bayanihan spirit to ensure that no Filipino is left behind towards recovery.

“At ako naman po sa mga kababayan natin, ‘wag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, magtulungan lang po tayo. Sabi ko nga paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, ang pera po kikitain natin, ang gamit po nabibili… mga nabasa, naputikan, pwede nating labahan yan,” said Go.

“Pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Alagaan po natin ang buhay ng bawat isa kaya nasasaktan po ako kapag merong namamatay, nasasaktan po ako kapag merong mga kababayan nating nasasawi,” he added.

He then pledged that as much as he can and as long as time allows, he will visit areas where his help is needed to support and bring hope to his fellow Filipinos in the face of adversities.

“‘Yun naman po ang aming pangako, pupuntahan namin kayo basta kaya ng panahon namin. Kaya ng oras at panahon ay pupuntahan namin kayo. Makatulong at makaiwan ng konting ngiti sa panahon ng kalungkutan, panahon ng pagdadalamhati,” he said.

“Magtulungan po tayo. Siguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon,” he added.

After personally visiting typhoon hit communities in Bacoor City and Kawit, Cavite as well as fire victims in Taguig City on November 4, Senator Go proceeded to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur on November 5 to personally check on the affected communities there. Go, together with his fellow senator Robinhood Padilla, personally provided aid to 2,000 typhoon victims on the said day. The activities were held at the Datu Abdullah Sangki Municipal Compound in Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Covered Court in Maguindano del Norte.

On Monday, November 7, Go then proceeded to Balayan and Calatagan Batangas to provide aid to indigents and witness the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center.