Protect Pinoys in Israel conflict, Go appeals
Go’s team distributed shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball for 500 disadvantaged residents. They also gave away shoes, mobile phones and watches to select recipients
Daily TribuneGo’s team distributed shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball for 500 disadvantaged residents. They also gave away shoes, mobile phones and watches to select recipients
SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go. | Photograph courtesy of SBG
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has raised his concern for the safety and well-being of Filipinos abroad, particularly Overseas Filipino workers in Israel, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Go highlighted the significant sacrifices made by OFWs to provide a better life for their families. Most often, they face challenges such as getting caught in the middle of conflicts like the current crisis in Israel.
In light of the ongoing hostilities in Israel, the senator has called upon various government agencies including the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to extend continuous assistance to protect affected Filipinos.
He emphasized the importance of reassuring their families in the Philippines about their safety, and affirmed that the government is doing everything in its capacity to ensure the welfare of their loved ones not just in Israel but in other parts of the globe.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, underscored the urgent need for a swift and comprehensive inventory of all affected OFWs. He also emphasized the need to immediately plan for their repatriation, as the situation in the region remains uncertain.
The conflict, which has been raging since 7 October, saw Palestinian militants breaching the Gaza-Israel barrier and invading Israel's Southern District, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the Israeli military.
Go urged Filipinos residing in Israel to prioritize their safety and to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy for necessary assistance. He acknowledged that while many have established a good life in Israel, their safety should still remain a priority.
People's festival
In a related development, Go personally attended last Sunday, 15 October the Indigenous Peoples Festival held at Chater Road in Hong Kong. The event, which was organized by the Emilio Aguinaldo-DDS Hong Kong Group, was an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and heritage of the Filipino community and acknowledge the role of IPs in shaping the cultural identity of the Philippines.
Being a vice chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, Go was invited to join the event which also became an opportunity for Filipinos who currently work or reside in Hong Kong to get together and showcase their Filipino pride. He also expressed his gratitude to all overseas Filipino workers particularly those he met in Hong Kong.
Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots from Batangas, coordinated with Mayor Janet Ilagan and Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan to assist 372 displaced workers in the Municipality of Mataas na Kahoy last Wednesday, 11 October.
Go's outreach team joined the relief operation at the municipal covered court and provided snacks, masks, vitamins, shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball. They also gave away shoes and cellular phones to select recipients.
Also last Wednesday, Go's outreach team, together with Mayor Marilou Flores Morillo and Councilor Jelina Maree Magsuci, conducted a relief operation at Barangay Kalap Covered Court in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
Go's team distributed shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball for 500 disadvantaged residents. They also gave away shoes, mobile phones, and watches to select recipients.
The senator's staff likewise provided assistance to recovering fire victims in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on the same day.
Held at the municipal building, Go's team assisted a total of 31 affected families with shirts, masks, vitamins, snacks and balls for basketball and volleyball. There were also select recipients of shoes.
