PASAY CITY -- Amid the global pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to keep his pledge to help communities recover from crisis situations as his team handed out assistance to families affected by a recent fire incident in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Senator's outreach team organized two distribution activities on July 6 for 37 beneficiaries from Barangays Puntod and Camaman-an; and on July 8 for 38 beneficiaries from Barangays 36, Kauswagan, Cugman, Pagalungan, and Macasandig.
Go's personnel implemented necessary safety and health protocols as they conducted the relief operations near the National Housing Authority - Region 10 Office. Go's team grouped the beneficiaries into smaller batches as they gave COVID-19 essentials, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.
Moreover, staff from the National Housing Authority granted each beneficiary with additional aid through their Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
In response to the threats of fire related incidents, Go cited the need to pass Senate Bill No. 1832, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act which he authored and co-sponsored in the Senate.
The said measure seeks to strengthen the capabilities of the BFP by developing and implementing a modernization program that will help BFP acquire new fire equipment, hire more firefighters, provide specialized training programs, and many others.
“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo. Ang gamit po’y nabibili natin, ang pera po’y kikitain natin subalit ang pera pong kikitain, hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” said Go.
In an interview, Marilou Valdez, one of the fire victims, shared her unfortunate experience and how the calamity affected their living condition. She, then, expressed her appreciation towards the Senator for the support he has given to their community, especially during these challenging times.
"Sir Bong Go, salamat talaga sa inyong pagtulong sa aming mga mahihirap. Malaking tulong talaga ito sa aming mga nasunugan na hindi namin sinasadya. Hindi talaga namin ito makakalimutan," Valdez said.
Go also offered to assist residents with health concerns. He encouraged them to go to the nearest Malasakit Centers at Northern Mindanao Medical Center or at JR Borja General Hospital in the city where concerned agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, will help cover their expenses through various medical assistance programs.
