PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go stressed the need to commit sufficient resources to increase the country’s fire response and prevention efforts as his team conducted yet another relief activity for victims, this time in Siniloan, Laguna on Tuesday, July 13.

The team distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 11 families or 56 fire victims at the Barangay Halayhayin covered court. The activity was conducted in batches to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided separate financial assistance in another distribution as part of the national government’s response to the said incident.

“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng tulong. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya nag-file ako ng batas para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection,” Go told the victims in a message.

In 2019, the Senator introduced Senate Bill No. 1832 which will help fund the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel and provision of specialized training for firefighters. It also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Inaasahan ko na maipapasa na ito at mapirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte itong Agosto. Nanawagan ako sa mga kapwa kong mambabatas na bilisan na ang pagpasa nito. Huwag niyo na tagalan at ipagkait kung ano ang due sa ating mga bumbero,” continued Go.

To further ensure their well-being, the Senator also offered assistance to any resident with medical-related concerns. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Centers at the San Pablo City General Hospital or the Laguna Medical Center in Santa Cruz through which they may conveniently obtain medical assistance from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go also principally authored and sponsored.

“Simula ng pandemya, nahirapan na kami sa budget para sa pagkain palang. Sumabay pa ang sunog na nagsimula sa aming bahay kung saan naubos ang lahat ng naipundar ng aking mga magulang. Nagpapasalamat kami ng malaki para sa tulong na ibinigay ni Senator Bong Go para maka-survive kami sa pang-araw-araw,” said Mervin de Jesus, a beneficiary.

Ending his message, the Senator expressed his gratitude to the local officials for their quick response to the incident, including Governor Ramil Hernandez, Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Rainier Leopando, Vice Mayor Patrick Go, and Punong Barangay Modesto Serrano.

He vowed his continued support for the people of Laguna, having previously extended the same aid to 208 families who were gravely affected by a fire in Brgy. Lamot II, Calauan last June 10.

Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by its governors in 2019. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has since supported the funding of numerous infrastructure projects in Laguna, such as the construction of a multi-purpose building in Siniloan and procurement of new medical equipment for the Siniloan Infirmary Hospital.

The Senator also supported the funding for the construction of the Calamba City Hospital; public markets in Liliw and Rizal; a slaughterhouse in Mabitac; new floor and renovation of the capitol building in Sta. Cruz; drainage canals in Victoria and Cabuyao City; and multi-purpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Santa Cruz, Sta. Maria, Paete and Pila.

Other projects include the rehabilitation or concreting of local or farm-to-market roads in Biñan City, Luisiana, Nagcarlan, Paete, Pila, Rizal, Sta. Cruz, and Sta. Rosa and the Paeta-Famy-Quezon boundary road; improvement of a drainage system in Biñan City; additional ambulances for Calamba, Nagcarlan and Sta. Rosa City, among others. (OSBG)