PASAY CITY -- Following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his confidence that the bureau will soon have sufficient resources to enhance the country’s fire response and prevention efforts.
The said law 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.
On Thursday, November 4, Go’s team conducted a series of relief activities for the fire victims in the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Parañaque, and Pasig in Metro Manila.
The team distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins and masks to a total of 38 families at the respective covered courts of Brgys. Capri and Kaligayahan in Quezon City, Brgy. Bagong Silang in Caloocan City, Brgy. San Dionisio in Parañaque City, and Brgys. Manggahan and Nagpayong in Pasig City. Go’s staff strictly enforced necessary health and safety protocols to ensure the public's safety against COVID-19.
Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development then provided separate financial assistance as part of the 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,” Go expressed in a video message.
“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,” he added.
Go, as Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to any resident with medical-related concerns and advised them to visit any of the 30 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila 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 principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance po para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapa-hospital. Batas na po ‘yan, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he added.
Ending his message, the senator expressed his gratitude to the local officials of each city for supporting the affected families. Go then appealed to the local leaders to continue helping their constituents, especially during these challenging times.
