PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to help fire-hit communities build back better as he sent his team to Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City on Tuesday, December 7, to deliver immediate assistance to the victims.

Go’s staff conducted the relief operations at the Viking Gym and Avia Gym where they distributed meals, grocery packs, vitamins and masks to 1,013 fire victims. Some of them were also provided with new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets.

In a separate distribution, the National Housing Authority assessed the families for potential housing support under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, meanwhile, assessed those who may be eligible for their respective support programs.

“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 optimism that the Bureau of Fire Protection will be more efficient and effective 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 through the implementation of a modernization program that will include 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 fire victims to continue adhering to the health protocols and urged them to get inoculated once eligible to increase their bodies’ defenses against COVID-19.

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

First established in Cebu in 2018 at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, can conveniently access medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Since then, other Malasakit Centers in Cebu have opened at the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital, Talisay District Hospital, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, and Cebu Provincial Hospital.

"Walay gipili 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.

(“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 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.

(“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 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 Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported numerous infrastructure initiatives in Cebu City, such as the rehabilitation and expansion of a multipurpose building area at Barangay Duljo Fatima and the construction of a new one in Bahay Silangan.

He also supported projects throughout the province, including road improvements in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, Cebu City and Talisay City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of an ambulance unit for Madrilejos and Naga City.

An outreach team of Go also held an activity in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City on September 30 for 49 families who were displaced by a recent fire incident on September 25. (OSBG)