Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go assured that the government will provide necessary assistance to the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wanted to return home amid the global coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The Philippines is your home and you will always be welcome and taken care of here,” Go said in a speech he delivered during Monday’s special Senate session that tackled Senate Bill 1418 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” seeking to boost the government’s capabilities to better address the Covid-19 crisis.

“Ang stand po ng ating Pangulo ay tanggapin niya ang mga Pilipino na gustong umuwi dahil kung pati sa sariling bansa nila ay ayaw sila tanggapin, saan pa sila pupunta? (The stand of our President (Rodrigo Duterte) is to welcome the Filipinos who want to return home because if they will not be accepted by their own country, where they will go? he added.

Go said the government will also prepare funds for the OFWs who will decide to go home.

“Sisiguraduhin rin natin na may pasilidad dito sa bansa na komportable na pwede kayong tumuloy pag-uwi ninyo habang naka-quarantine o habang hindi kayo makauwi sa inyong probinsiya dahil sa lockdown. Para ito sa inyong kaligtasan at kaligtasan ng ibang mga Pilipino dito sa ating bansa (We will make sure that we have comfortable facilities where you can stay while undergoing quarantine. This is for the safety of everyone, including you, here in our country),” Go said.

Go, also co-sponsor of the measure that gave Duterte additional powers to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak said the bill has provisions that assure security and sufficient food and financial assistance during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

“We want everyone to ‘stay home’. But for that to happen, we have to make sure that we are able to sufficiently provide them with the necessary means to take care of their families and ensure the security they need in order to remain in their homes,” Go said.

He also called on concerned executive departments to continue serving the Filipinos particularly the

The Senator also urged concerned government agencies to ensure that Filipinos, particularly the most vulnerable groups, will get the food and cash assistance from the government.

“Mahirap maging mahirap. Kaya huwag na natin sila mas pahirapan pa (It’s difficult to be poor. So we should not make life more difficult for them),” Go said, quoting a taxi driver who recently shared in a TV interview the plight of the poor while most areas in the country are under enhanced community quarantine.

Go, meanwhile, appealed to his fellow Filipinos to put their trust in the government and follow the advice of authorities to combat the spread of the disease.

He also reminded fellow servants in the government, particularly those in local government units and those leading our barangays, to set aside politics and be accountable to and united for the Filipino people.

“Unahin natin ang buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino (The life and welfare of every Filipino should be given priority),” Go said. (PNA)