PRE-VALENTINE AID. Combo photo shows a resident holding a pair of shoes and a schoolchild holding a bicycle given by Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go. They were part of the 248 families, who were victims of the landslide near the Carmen Copper Corporation in Barangay Lutopan, Toledo City in December 2020, that received pre-Valentine gift from Senator Go. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – Landslide victims in Cebu’s western city of Toledo received a pre-Valentine assistance from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Seven of the victims who were workers of Carmen Copper Corporation, a mining establishment in the hilly village of Lutopan, died while three others remained missing after the unfortunate incident on Dec. 21 in the aftermath of Typhoon Vicky.
A statement from Go’s office said 248 families received meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields during the distribution activity at Carmen Copper Recreation Center on Friday.
Health and safety protocols were strictly implemented to avoid the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Nabalitaan ko na nagkaroon ng landslide noong nakaraang buwan kaya mayroon lang akong kaunting tulong na ipinadala diyan. Gamitin niyo ang mga pinamigay ng aking staff. Inumin ninyo itong vitamins, pampalakas ito ng inyong resistensya laban sa sakit (After hearing the news about the landslide last month, I send assistance. Please consume what were given by my staff. Take those vitamins to make you more resistant to diseases),” Go told the victims in a video message.
The team sent by Go also gave away bicycles to selected recipients for their daily commute to work amid limited public transport options caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also sent pairs of shoes and computer tablets for the schoolchildren who are attending classes through blended learning modules.
“Study hard because you are the hope of our nation. Secondly, we invest in education. Thirdly, your parents will be happy if you become successful in your studies,” Go told the students in Filipino.
He offered assistance to those who needed major medical operations, such as heart surgeries, and urged beneficiaries suffering from medical conditions to seek assistance from any of the Malasakit Centers in the province.
The first Malasakit Center was established in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in February 2018.
Other hospitals such as Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital both in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, and Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City also have a one-stop shop Malasakit Center where indigent patients can process medical assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in one setting.
Go said he will ask the Department of Health (DOH) to put more budget for Toledo City General Hospital to fund the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program for the residents, in response to Mayor Marjorie Perales’ query about this.
DSWD staff separately provided financial assistance to the landslide victims.
The agency also gave medical assistance as well as burial assistance.
Personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry were also present to assess and validate possible beneficiaries for the livelihood assistance, while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed beneficiaries for their scholarship program. (PNA)
