PASAY CITY -- On Thursday, July 8, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent aid to families whose houses were greatly damaged during a recent fire incident in 577 Ventanilla, Pasay City.

Go’s staff carried out the relief operation at Juan Sumulong Elementary School where they gave financial assistance, grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to 54 families, composed of 191 individuals. As Go’s team strictly implemented safety and health protocols, the beneficiaries were grouped into smaller batches to further prevent the spread of the virus.

Some recipients, then, received new pairs of shoes that they can use while others were given bicycles, a convenient mode of transportation.

As Go continues to push for measures that would provide indigent students access to quality education, he sent computer tablets to select recipients to help their children participate better during classes under the blended learning set-up.

“Bagama't distance learning ho tayo, importante po makapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral at tuluy-tuloy po ang kaalaman ng bawat estudyante. Sasaya po ang inyong mga magulang ‘pag nakapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral,” Go reminded in his video message.

Apart from the assistance given by Senator Go, several government agencies also extended their aid to help the families fully recover.

Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave each beneficiary financial assistance while the National Housing Authority will provide emergency housing assistance to qualified recipients.

Through their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Livelihood Program, the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated beneficiaries who will be given livelihood support.

Other personnel from various agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor were also present to give away separate assistance for the victims.

A mother of five children, Merlita dela Cruz, in an interview, recalled how her family was not able to save any of their belongings during the fire incident. She further expressed her gratitude towards Senator Go as he continued to support underprivileged communities even in the height of the pandemic.

“Sa mga ayuda na natanggap namin, nagpapasalamat kami. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa financial assistance na natanggap namin, hindi lamang po sa akin, kundi sa buong komunidad namin na nasunugan. Alam po namin na mahal na mahal kami ni Senator Bong Go,” dela Cruz said.

Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, gave additional assistance as he encouraged the beneficiaries to visit the Malasakit Center at Pasay City General Hospital if they may need any medical attention.

Signed into law in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all DOH-run hospitals, and Philippine General Hospital to give Filipinos, particularly financially deprived patients, convenient access to medical programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Furthermore, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to take part in the vaccination program to boost their immune system against COVID-19. Saying, “bakuna po ang kailangan natin ngayon para po makamtan natin ang herd immunity ngayong taong ito para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko.”

Go, then, urged his fellow lawmakers to continue supporting the passage of Senate Bill No. 1832, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act. The said bill seeks to strengthen the capabilities of BFP by developing a modernization program, which includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of more firefighters, organizing highly specialized trainings, and many others.

“Pangalagaan po natin ang buhay ng bawat isa. Mga kababayan ko, ang gamit po’y nabibili natin, ang pera po’y kikitain natin. Subalit ang perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay,” said Go.

The Senator also helped in the funding of several infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a stand-alone dialysis clinic in the Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa City, construction of a multi-purpose building in Project 6, Quezon City, acquisition of four ambulance units in Valenzuela City, and many others.

Concluding his message, Go lauded Representative Antonio “Tony” Calixto, Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Brgy. Captain Rowel Bosque, and other barangay officials, for exerting great efforts to help in the recovery of their community amid the national health crisis and calamity situations. (OSBG)