PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to provide support to fire-hit communities as he sent his team to Toledo City, Cebu on Wednesday, November 17, to deliver immediate assistance to the victims.

Go’s team conducted the relief operations at Sangi Barangay Hall and provided financial assistance, grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields and vitamins to five affected families.

In a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided the families with additional financial assistance.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority extended livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively, to qualified beneficiaries.

“Sa mga kababayan ko naman po na nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang gamit po’y nabibili, ang pera po’y kikitain natin, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay,” said Go in his video message.

The senator expressed his optimism that the Bureau of Fire Protection will be more efficient and sufficient in addressing fire-related accidents following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the “BFP Modernization Act of 2021”, last September 10.

As one of Go’s priority bills, RA 11589 is expected to transform the bureau into a world-class institution by mandating the implementation of a modernization program that will include, among others, the recruitment of more firefighters, provision of specialized training, and upgrade and acquisition of new fire equipment.

“To better protect Filipinos, we need to further strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection by improving its services and capabilities so that it can efficiently and effectively respond to incidents and other catastrophes,” Go explained.

Go then reminded the families to continue adhering to health protocols recommended by the government and urged them to get inoculated once eligible to increase their bodies’ defenses against COVID-19.

Go also offered assistance to those with health concerns to visit any of the 149 Malasakit Centers in the country should they need assistance with paying for their hospital bills.

First established in Cebu in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

"Walay ge pili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka sa Malasakit Center. Para ni sa tanang pobre ug kabus nga pasyente. Para sa inyo na." Go said.

"Kung nag kinahanglan mog tabang sa Heart Center sa Maynila, pagsulti lang mo kay tabangan mo namo. Kami na ang motubag sa inyong pagpaospital kung kinahanglan gyud dad on sa Maynila," he added.

(“Wala pong pinipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center. Para po 'yan sa poor and indigent patients. Inyo po 'yan,”

“Kung kailangan n’yo po ng tulong sa Heart Center sa Maynila, magsabi lang ho kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayo. Kami na ho ang sasagot sa inyong pagpapaospital kung kakailanganin pong dalhin sa Maynila.”)

Go then lauded Toledo City's local officials for their efforts to help their respective communities recover from calamities even at the height of a national health crisis.

“Mga kababayan ko, kami po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. At uunahin namin ang interes ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal po namin ang aming kapwa Pilipino. Maraming salamat po,” he ended.

As the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the province that aim to help its economic recovery. Among these projects are the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. (OSBG)