#letmetelyu: “Nagdecide akong umuwi kami ng misis ko galing Maynila dahil gusto kong dito isilang ang aming baby. Dito, safe ang pamilya ko.”
We are under uncertain times, but we are certain to build a Stronger La Union.
#letmetelyu: “Nagdecide akong umuwi kami ng misis ko galing Maynila dahil gusto kong dito isilang ang aming baby. Dito, safe ang pamilya ko.”
Ger-shon Buenaagua and his wife Joy were workers for a paint manufacturing company in Metro Manila for about five years. In April 2019, they decided to tie the knot, and not long after, their love bore fruit. They started painting a picture of raising a beautiful family, with the promises of abundance of living in the country’s capital.
Come March 2020, barely months before the baby’s birth, the pandemic happened. The spouses’ employer suspended operations, leaving them jobless. With rent and daily expenses mounting, and wary of the high health risk especially for his pregnant wife, Ger-shon decided to just leave Manila and bring his family back home to La Union.
But the couple had to face the stringent protocols being enforced in the province’s borders. On May 16, Ger-shon, Joy, and six other individuals from Metro Manila were intercepted in Rosario checkpoint after failing to present necessary documentary requirements. They were then brought to the Provincial Government’s Isolation Facility -- the Home of Hope.
At the facility, the group’s swab samples were taken. Few days after, results came in which all yielded negative. Ger-shon and Joy were then ferried homeward to their residence in Naguilian.
On July 2, John Jacob – the couple’s first angel – was born, putting back color in the eyes of his parents otherwise dulled by the pandemic. “Siya na ngayon ang nagbibigay ng purpose sa amin, kahit na biglaang nagpalit kami ng mga plano dahil sa COVID.”
Ger-shon and his wife remain hopeful as they rebuild their life here in their home province. “At least dito sa probinsiya kahit papano, mas madaling maka-survive. May pagkain sa paligid, may mga kapitbahay na handang magbigay ng tulong.”
Ger-shon dreams for his son a world devoid of a virus, where he is free to run, explore, and experience the best of his childhood. But for now, all he wishes for is the cooperation of everyone in this common battle against the disease.
The Provincial Government is one with the dream of keeping families safe and secure. We shall continue to strengthen our response measures and provide proactive social programs that ensure the improved quality of life for every kaprobinsiaan, like Ger-shon, his wife Joy, and their newborn.
Be one with us in our journey towards building a Stronger La Union!
