PASAY CITY -- On Saturday, July 3, an outreach team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided aid to 10 residents whose houses suffered major damage during a fire incident at Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig City.
The team provided each household with financial assistance, relief items and meals during an activity at the barangay hall. The relief items included food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields. Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance in a separate distribution.
In a video message, the Senator reminded local authorities and lessors to walk residents through the necessary fire safety procedures, such as escape routes and safe assembly points, and to teach them how to react in a fire incident in order to avoid any more loss of lives and property.
“Mga kababayan ko, mag-ingat tayo dahil delikado pa ang panahon at nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Mahirap masunugan. Gayunpaman, tandaan natin na ang gamit naman ay nabibili at ang pera po’y kikitain natin. Pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po mabibili ang buhay,” said Go.
Go is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 1832 that he co-sponsored in the plenary which provides for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection. The modernization program will include the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of more personnel, and provision of highly specialized training programs.
“To better protect Filipinos, we need to strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection by improving its services and capabilities so that it can efficiently and effectively respond to incidents and other catastrophes,” he explained.
When enacted, the BFP will be mandated to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, especially in informal settlements, economically depressed areas, and far-flung communities.
Continuing his message, Go also offered to assist those suffering from burn injuries or other health-related conditions, and urged others with medical concerns to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the relevant government agencies, namely the Department of Health, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The Malasakit Centers program, which Go launched in 2018 and subsequently legislated in 2019, has assisted more than two million indigent patients with 126 centers established nationwide.
