PASIG CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go organized yet another series of distribution activities in the cities of Parañaque, Pasig and Taguig on Tuesday, January 18, for families whose houses were damaged by recent fire incidents.

“Magbayanihan tayo at 'wag kayong mag-alala dahil hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyerno at lalung-lalo na hindi kayo pababayaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Kinakailangan lang namin ang inyong kooperasyon para malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito. Makakabangon din tayo muli bilang nagkakaisa at mas matatag na bansa,” Go said in a video message.

Go’s staff distributed cash assistance, grocery packs, meals and masks to a total of 91 families at the respective barangay halls of Brgy. San Isidro in Parañaque City, Brgy. South Daang Hari in Taguig City, and Brgy. Oranbo in Pasig City. Furthermore, the team gave away computer tablets, new pairs of shoes, and bicycles to select individuals.

The activities were held in batches and in strict compliance with the mandated safety and health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance to the affected families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The National Housing Authority, in turn, assessed the needs of the fire victims and provided them housing assistance. Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted assessments for potential recipients of its livelihood support.

Continuing his remarks, Go reiterated the importance of upgrading the capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection in dealing with fire-related incidents. The lawmaker primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act of 2021.

The Act mandates BFP to undergo a ten-year modernization program to improve its firefighting capabilities by hiring more firefighters, acquiring modern fire equipment, and developing specialized training programs, among others.

“Naiintindihan po ng gobyerno kung gaano kahirap ang panahon ngayon lalo na po sa inyong mga nasunugan. 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,” Go remarked.

“Dapat paghandaan natin ang anumang krisis o sakuna. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at sa kapwa kong mambabatas sa mabilisang pagpasa ng batas na ito,” he continued.

Meanwhile, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go appealed to the families not to fear the COVID-19 vaccines and urged those eligible to get inoculated as soon as possible to protect themselves from the virus.

“Mga kababayan ko, tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang ating pagbabakuna, magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. ‘Pag nasa priority list na ho kayo magpabakuna na po kayo para po protektado kayo at ang inyong pamilya,” Go stressed.

“Kung mahal n’yo po ang inyong mga anak, kung mahal n’yo po ang inyong mga pamilya magpabakuna na po kayo. Kailangan lang po ang kooperasyon, kailangan rin po ang disiplina ng bawat isa,” he added.

He then reassured the beneficiaries with health concerns that medical assistance programs by the government are conveniently accessible through any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila, including Ospital ng Parañaque, Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, and Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City.

The center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, are assisted by concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

To boost the economic growth of the cities, Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance has also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings and halls in Parañaque City and acquisition of ambulance units in Parañaque and Taguig cities. He was also instrumental in the improvement of Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City through the acquisition of medical equipment and the construction of a seven-storey multi-specialty building inside the center.

The senator ended his remarks by thanking all the local officials for making certain that their constituents are well-supported during times of crisis.

On the same day, Go’s outreach team gave similar assistance to more fire victims in the cities of Quezon and Caloocan. (OSBG)