PASAY CITY -- On Tuesday, July 6, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited fire victims in Cainta, Rizal to personally express his concern to families whose houses were razed by the recent fire incident.

“Mga kababayan ko rito sa Cainta… Alam kong napakahirap po ng ating sitwasyon sa ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya at ngayon nasunugan pa kayo,” Go expressed during his remarks.

“Ang gamit po’y nabibili naman natin, magtulungan lang tayo. Ang pera po ay ating kikitain, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay,” he added.

Together with his outreach team, Go led the distribution activity for 154 families, composed of more or less a thousand individuals, at Planters Home Owners Association Court. Go’s staff grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches to safeguard the well-being of residents as they followed the safety and health protocols recommended by the government.

The Senator’s team handed out financial assistance, grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to each beneficiary. In addition, some recipients were given new pairs of shoes while others were provided bicycles.

Some recipients received computer tablets that are intended to help their children conveniently access educational materials while they pursue their studies under the blended learning approach.

Go extended further help as he offered to assist beneficiaries who want to go home to their respective provinces. Through the Balik Bayan Program, qualified recipients will be assisted to settle in their home provinces.

“Mayroon po tayong programang Balik Probinsya, puwede kayong magpalista dito sa aming mga staff, bibigyan po kayo ng pamasahe, livelihood, trabaho o housing po doon sa inyong mga probinsya,” said Go.

The Senator hailed various government agencies for their dedication to help more communities recover from the pandemic and other crisis situations as they gave additional aid to the fire victims.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development granted additional financial assistance, while the Department of Health provided medicines, and vitamins to further boost their immune system. In addition, the Department of Agriculture supplied them with vegetables.

Staff from the Department of Trade and Industry conducted an on-site assessment where qualified recipients will receive livelihood support. Furthermore, the National Housing Authority determined beneficiaries for their Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

Moreover, personnel from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office distributed food packs to the victims, while personnel from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor assessed the victims for possible programs and assistance that may be given to them.

Ma. Josefina Advincula, in an interview, shared her distress as she recalled how the fire incident destroyed most of their belongings and almost took away her only child. She, then, conveyed her appreciation towards Senator Go for bringing much needed assistance to their community even in the height of pandemic.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga tumutulong sa amin, lalo na po sa Diyos, hindi Niya kami pinabayaan ng anak ko dahil siya lang ang kasama ko noong time na ‘yun. Kay Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat po. Ngayon ko lang po naramdaman ang hindi mapabayaan,” Advincula said.

As Go continues to push for more programs to provide quality healthcare services to deprived Filipinos, he offered assistance to beneficiaries or to their loved ones who have health concerns as he encouraged them to visit the nearest Malasakit Center in Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical programs offered by DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Other Malasakit Centers in Rizal are located at Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Center in Binangonan, Antipolo City Hospital in Antipolo City, and Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Montalban.

“Wala pong pinipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center, para po 'yan sa poor and indigent patients, inyo po 'yan,” Go said.

“Ngayon, kung hindi kayang operahan diyan sa Malasakit Center, halimbawa, may sakit kayo sa puso, may karamdaman kayo, sumisikip ang dibdib ninyo, 'wag niyo na po tagalan. Huwag na po kayong matakot magpaospital o babayaran sa ospital. Halimbawa, Heart Center, Kidney Center, Lung Center, tutulungan po namin kayo. Wala na po kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital, magsabi lang po kayo,” he added.

Adding to his remarks, Go cited the importance of Senate Bill No. 1832, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act. Under the said measure, it seeks the modernization of BFP to improve its capabilities to respond to emergency situations.

“Nag-file din po ako sa Senado, itong modernization of Bureau of Fire Protection. Karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang firefighters, monthly education campaigns para turuan po ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat po dahil bawat bahay na nasusunog ay damay po ang kapitbahay,” said Go.

Go also helped in the funding of various infrastructure projects in Rizal. Among the projects are the construction of a Justice Building in Antipolo City, drainage improvement in Brgy. Macabud and Brgy. San Isidro in Montalban, construction of Taytay Sports Complex in Taytay, and many others.

The Senator expressed his gratitude towards Representative Jack Duavit, Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares as represented by former Governor Junjun Ynares, Mayor Johnielle Keith “Kit” Nieto, Vice Mayor Ace Servillon, and other local government officials as they continue to work hand-in-hand to provide much needed support to their constituents, especially during these challenging times.

“Mga kababayan ko, nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin, kami po ang magpasalamat sa inyo, dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo,” said Go.

“Kaya hinding-hindi po namin sasayangin ang bawat oras, ang bawat araw na binigay niyo po sa amin, magtatrabaho po kami, magseserbisyo po kami sa inyong lahat,” he ended.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. They cited his many years of service under President Rodrigo Duterte and “heart for his country” through the various projects he initiated which have benefited millions of Filipinos. (OSBG)