PASAY CITY -- In line with his commitment to support vulnerable communities and provide relief where it is most needed, an outreach team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go held an activity at BF Homes, Parañaque City on Tuesday, July 6, for 62 families who were displaced by a recent fire incident on June 30.

The team distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields for a total of 11 family members at the Fourth Estate Elementary School Extension. They also provided each family with financial assistance to help them recover from the unfortunate incident.

“Alam kong hirap kayong lahat ngayon dahil sa pandemya tapos nawalan pa kayo ng bahay dahil sa nangyaring sunog,” Go began in a video message.

“Gusto ko ipaalam sa inyo na nandito kami at ang gobyerno na nagmamalasakit at nagseserbisyo sa inyo. Handa kaming tumulong, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na lahat ay naghihirap,” he added.

To ensure that affected families have access to safe and decent shelter and the amenities they need in times of emergency, Go vowed to push for Senate Bill No. 1228 which he filed earlier that aims to establish an evacuation center in every city, municipality and province.

“Alam ko po na masakit at mahirap ang masunugan ng bahay, importante kumpleto kayo at walang nasaktan sa sunog. Ang gamit naman po ay mabibili, kayang kitain, pero ang buhay, hindi po ‘yan kayang mapalitan. Importante ligtas kayo,” said Go.

“Kahit nasa evacuation center ay dapat mag-practice pa rin po kayo ng social distancing upang hindi magkahawaan ng sakit sa inyong lugar,” he added.

Filed in 2019 by the Senator, the proposed measure sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities and operation, among others. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.

As part of the government’s response to the fire incident, representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out additional financial assistance in a separate distribution.

The National Housing Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry, in turn, assessed beneficiaries for their housing and livelihood assistance programs, respectively.

To further ensure their well-being, Go also encouraged family members to prioritize their health as he offered assistance so that they can get treated for injuries and other medical concerns. He informed them that they may obtain further aid from the government at the Malasakit Center located at the Ospital ng Parañaque.

The center is a one-stop shop which brings together under one roof the agencies from which patients may seek medical assistance, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Malasakit Centers have assisted over two million particularly poor and indigent patients since Go launched the program in Cebu City in 2018. There are currently 127 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

One of the beneficiaries, Evelyn Sadio, thanked Go and the government agencies for the assistance she and her family received. She said that the aid may be used so they can restart their lives.

“Ang mahalaga po, walang nangyari sa amin. Ligtas po kami. Nakatanggap kami ng assistance po galing kay Senator Bong Go, sa DSWD, malaking tulong po ‘yun para makapagsimula kaming muli,” Sadio said.

The Senator then thanked the local officials and volunteers led by Representative Joy Tambunting, Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Vice Mayor Rico Golez, and the barangay officials for their quick response to the incident to support affected residents.

On June 21, his team also assisted victims affected by a fire incident in San Dionisio in Parañaque City. All activities were held in strict compliance with the government-issued health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)