PASAY CITY -- As President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his support for the passage of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act during his last State of the Nation Address, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged authorities to continue taking more steps to reduce fire-related fatalities and losses especially in poor communities.

Go principally authored and co-sponsored the proposed bill which directs the Bureau of Fire Protection to implement a modernization program. Senate Bill No. 1832 was approved on its third and final reading on March 8 and is currently pending in the bicameral committee level.

“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita 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 residents in a message.

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

Meanwhile, Go continues to help fire victims as his team organized relief efforts for displaced residents. Most recently, they provided assistance in a fire-hit community in Barangay 767, Manila City on Saturday, July 24.

To address their immediate needs, the Senator’s staff distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 450 displaced residents at the Brgy. 805 covered court in coordination with the concerned national agencies.

They provided selected recipients new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles, a convenient mode of transportation amid the pandemic. Some also received computer tablets so their children can access their learning materials under the blended learning set-up.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance while the Department of Health handed out medicine packs and vitamins. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office gave away separate food packs and the Department of Agriculture delivered supplies of fresh vegetables.

The National Housing Authority, on the other hand, distributed assistance to the victims through its Emergency Housing Assistance Program. The Department of Trade and Industry likewise committed to extend further aid based on its existing assistance programs.

In his message, the Senator reminded everyone to follow the required health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their temporary shelters. He urged them to get vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination guidelines in light of the recent emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant.

“Pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, kailangan namin ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng bawat Pilipino. Mas mag-ingat tayo, lalo na ngayong may Delta variant. Hindi namin kakayanin ito mag-isa,” said Go.

“At magpabakuna kayo. Magtiwala at ‘wag kayo matakot sa bakuna. Libre naman ito. Ang bakuna ang susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also offered to help beneficiaries in need of medical care. He advised them to seek medical assistance through the Malasakit Centers at the Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center or San Lazaro Hospital.

The center is a one-stop shop for medical assistance programs offered by the national government agencies, specifically the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and PCSO. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

“Nagtitinda ako ng mga basahan nun. Biglang may umusok, umiihip ‘yung hangin at kumalat ng kumalat ang apoy. Natupok ‘yung bahay namin at ‘yung nasalba lang ng anak ko ay ‘yung tatlong aso namin. Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat sa inyung tulong na ibinigay sa araw na ito. God bless you po!” said Leticia de Luna, 71.

“Mister President, kailangan po namin ang tulong ninyo. Kailangan namin ng mga materyales para mapatayo muli ang aming bahay at may makain kami ng mga apo ko,” she added.

Concluding his message, the Senator expressed gratitude to various officials for their quick response and efforts to assist the survivors, namely Mayor Francisco Domagoso, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, 767 Punong Barangay Jose Abrito and 805 Punong Barangay Jose Antonio for hosting the distribution of assistance for the fire victims.

On July 19, his team also carried out an activity to assist the survivors of a fire incident in Brgy. 667 in the same city. Each activity was held in small batches to ensure the necessary health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were observed. (OSBG)