PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to a total of 173 individuals in Mandaluyong City whose homes were affected by previous fire incidents. Aside from support from the office of Senator Go, national agencies also extended their programs to qualified beneficiaries to help the community recover.

The Senator’s staff provided each family with meals on Thursday, August 5. They also gave vitamins, masks, and face shields, so the members can stay healthy while following the government-recommended health and safety protocols.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out livelihood assistance to each beneficiary under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go assured the fire victims that while essential sectors are now being prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19, the government will also ensure access for the poor, indigent and other vulnerable groups.

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, sisiguraduhin po namin ni Pangulong Duterte na walang mapapabayaan lalo na lahat po ng mahihirap. Sana po makabalik na tayo unti-unti sa normal nating pamumuhay,” Go said.

As the reimposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine begins in NCR, he also reminded authorities, both in the national and local level, to properly manage vaccination sites by conducting operations in an organized and safe manner in compliance with necessary health protocols to safeguard those to be vaccinated.

“Hinihimok ko po ang gobyerno na patuloy nating pabilisin ang pagbabakuna sa ating mga kababayan upang agaran din nating makamit ang inaasam nating herd immunity sa paraang maayos at ligtas,” said Go.

“Ang pagbabakuna po ang susi upang matalo natin ang COVID-19 at makabalik sa normal ang ating pamumuhay. Pero gawin dapat ito sa maayos at organisadong paraan. Gusto nating maproteksyunan ang taumbayan gamit ang bakuna. Pero higit sa lahat, ayaw nating magkahawahan pa,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go also reiterated his commitment to push for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection in order to improve its capabilities in helping prevent and respond to fire-related accidents and injuries.

He principally authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1832 which 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.

The bicameral conference committee report of the measure has already been ratified by the Senate on Wednesday, August 4.

To ensure their health and well-being, Go also offered to assist any beneficiary in need of medical attention and advised them to avail of medical assistance from the government at the nearest Malasakit Center located at the National Center for Mental Health in the city.

The center is a one-stop shop, initiated by Go and now institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Senator went on to recognize the local officials in Mandaluyong City who extended their full cooperation and assistance to the families.

“Kami naman po ni Pangulong Duterte ay handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magtiwala lang tayo sa gobyerno, magtulungan lang tayo,” said Go.

“Alam ko po na hirap kayo, hirap din po kami ni Pangulong Duterte. Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin para po makapagserbisyo po kami upang malampasan natin itong pandemyang ito,” he ended. (OSBG)