PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, August 4, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent help to residents of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, who had been affected by a fire incident in their area. The incident destroyed the beneficiaries' houses on July 28, leaving most of them homeless.

During the distribution activity held at the Tarragona Municipal Building Conference Hall, Go’s personnel provided financial assistance, grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to 30 families. The activity was conducted in batches while strictly complying with the necessary health protocols.

“Mga kababayan ko, sana ay nasa mabuti po kayong kalagayan. Nariyan po ang aking mga staff na patuloy pong umiikot upang makapagbigay nang kaunting tulong po sa inyo,” Go told the victims in a video call.

Go, in a video message, reiterated his commitment to push for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection through one of his authored measures, Senate Bill No. 1832 whose bicameral conference committee report was approved by the Senate the same day. The measure seeks to improve its capabilities in helping prevent fire-related accidents and injuries.

SB 1832 mandates the BFP to implement a modernization program, the components of which will include the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of more firefighters, and provision of specialized training, among others.

“Dahil bawat bahay na nasusunog, damay po ang kapitbahay, kaya ingat kayo. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Mga kababayan ko, ang gamit po’y nabibili. Ang pera po’y kinikita subalit ang perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Kaya mag-ingat po. A lost life is a life lost forever,” he added.

The Senator also offered to help beneficiaries with their medical concerns. He reminded beneficiaries that they may avail of government medical assistance from the nearest Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.

“Kung kailangan niyo po ng tulong medikal, mayroon po tayong Malasakit Center sa inyong lugar at handang tumulong ito. One-stop shop po ito. Nariyan na po ang Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Health, at Department of Social Welfare and Development na handang tumulong po sa inyo, sa inyong hospital bills,” Go explained.

Signed into law in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, mandates all DOH-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their Malasakit Centers to help low-income patients with their medical expenses. To date, there are 134 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Meanwhile, personnel from the DSWD offered financial aid to the victims, while the National Housing Authority assessed recipients who were eligible for housing help through their Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

Those who are eligible for their various programs were also assessed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture provided seedlings to the recipients.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Vice Governor Niño Sotero Uy, Mayor Nestor Uy, and the rest of the province and local leaders were also commended by Go for taking good care of their residents during the pandemic.

He went on to encourage beneficiaries to remain strong as the country continues to grapple with the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang po kapwa natin Pilipino,” he said.

“Basta kami ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil para sa amin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po 'yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

The Senator, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support in the funding of various infrastructure projects in Davao Oriental, such as the construction of the Matiao-Magsaysay Coastal Road, Monkayo-Boston Road, and the NHJ to Santiago - Macopa Road leading to Pusan Point.

He also supported the construction and improvement of roads in Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Cateel, Lupon, Manay, and Mati City; construction of a bridge in Caraga town; construction of a concrete revetment along the Lingayao River in Manay; and the construction or upgrading of potable water systems in Baganga, Lupon, and Manay.

Furthermore, he supported the construction of the Davao Oriental Sports Complex in Mati City; rehabilitation of the Buso Hot Spring Park in Mati City; the construction of a municipal slaughterhouse in San Isidro; the installation of solar street lights in Banaybanay; and the establishment of a park in Boston. (OSBG)