SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Sunday urged the government to continue assisting Filipinos wanting to return to their provinces amid the economic hardship in Metro Manila due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Go, in a radio interview on Friday, assured Putinciana Rapiña, an elderly woman who wanted to return to Naga City for his help.

“We will help you. It would be difficult for you to remain on the sidewalks. We will send you home to Naga. We will help you — don’t worry,” Go told Rapiña

who had resorted to panhandling to survive.

“Life is better in the province because our relatives are there [whom we can always turn to for help],” Go said.

Go promised to shoulder Rapiña’s transportation expenses and to bring her case to a government agency that could provide her housing upon her return to her province.

Rapiña was initially given cash aid by Go’s office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). She tested negative for Covid-19 at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Rapiña will further receive livelihood assistance from the DSWD in Naga City.

Go cited President Rodrigo Duterte’s order that local government units must ensure people returning to their provinces during the pandemic be given ample assistance.

Go initiated the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program in 2020 to help workers stranded in Metro Manila during the quarantine to return to their provinces.

The program encompasses empowerment of local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, housing, social welfare, health, employment and human resource and infrastructure development.