IN A bid to help fight and overcome the spread of Covid-19 in the province, ACT-CIS Representative and Benguet caretaker Eric Go Yap made a personal donation of P1 million to the province.
On Friday evening, March 27, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine issued a statement that the Benguet caretaker remains negative of Covid-19.
Yap, who is also the chairperson of the committee of appropriations, gave the fund for the benefit of the people of Benguet to help augment the province’s financial resources on Thursday, March 26.
Yap earlier this week sponsored House Bill (HB) 6616 or the “Bayanihan We Heal as One” Act of 2020 as a way to combat the spread of the Covid–19 in the country and to help in the relief operations of displaced workers during the pandemic.
“With a steadfast commitment, help is coming to Benguet. Hindi naging madali ang mga nakalipas na araw at linggo sa ating lahat dahil sa Covid-19. Lahat tayo ay apektado nito at wala itong pinipiling estado o katayuan sa buhay. ‘Yun ang pinakamasakit na katotohanan sa gitna ng krisis na ito. Kaya wala tayong tigil upang siguraduhin na makakapaghatid tayo ng tulong at suporta sa ating mga kababayan,” Yap said.
With the passage of House Bill 6616, Yap said funds will reach all local government units and help families affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
“Makikipag-ugnayan po tayo sa lokal na pamahalaan upang matugunan ang lahat ng inyong pangangailangan. Hindi natin hahayaan na may pamilyang magugutom dahil sa pagsubok na dinadaanan natin. Priority natin ang mga indigent families at yung mga nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil sa COVID-19. Wala tayong iiwanang sector o kahit sino pa man, lahat ay mabibigyan ng tulong,” Yap added.
The solon added he has also set aside a personal fund for Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) for personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical front liners and equipment needed by the hospital.
Yap said his office started to distribute two month supply of Vitamin C for senior citizens in every municipality of the province.
“Naglaan na din tayo ng dagdag na pondo hindi lang para sa Benguet General Hospital, kung hindi pati na rin sa lahat ng district hospitals sa Benguet upang tugunan ang mga medical needs ng ating mga kababayan. Ganun din ang dagdag pondo na ating inilagay sa DSWD, nakahanda na ito para sa mga mangangailangan,” he said.
“Sa mga informal workers, underemployed at iba pang naapektuhan ng quarantine dahil sa Covid-19, ilalatag natin ang TUPAD Program ng pamahalaan at naglaan tayo ng malaking pondo para mabigyan ang humigit kumulang 25 na pamilya sa bawat isa sa 140 barangays ng Benguet,” Yap further said.
Witnessing the turn-over ceremony were representatives from the Office of the Congressman, Dakila Cabarloc and head coordinator Anthony Kuan, together with Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, and Vice-Governor Johnny Waguis. (SunStar Baguio)