PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, January 26, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in partnership with various agencies, provided assistance to 31 fire victims whose houses were damaged by fire incidents in Zamboanga City in December last year.
Held at Tugbungan Elementary School, Go’s outreach team distributed cash assistance, grocery packs, snacks and masks to each affected household. Meanwhile, select individuals received new pairs of shoes and bicycles while others were given computer tablets to aid their children in their blended learning activities.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave additional financial assistance to the fire victims to help them start anew. Personnel from the National Housing Authority also assessed those who may potentially receive housing assistance.
In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted an assessment for potential recipients of its livelihood support. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, handed out snacks and offered scholarship grants to those who will qualify.
Finally, representatives from the Department of Health distributed masks and vitamins while the Land Transportation Office offered free license duplication and theoretical driving course.
During his video conference call, Go expressed his confidence that following the implementation of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, the agency will be more ready and capable in responding to fire-related incidents.
Republic Act No. 11589 was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate. Under the said measure, the BFP is mandated to implement a ten-year 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.
Go also joined BFP in the turnover of 62 fire trucks to select cities and municipalities across the country on January 25. The 1,000-gallon capacity fire trucks are part of a set of purchases made in 2020 which are expected to be fully delivered within 2022.
“Mga kababayan ko diyan sa Zamboanga City, kumusta po kayo? Sana po ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon lalo na po sa inyong nasunugan. Ngunit palagi namin uunahin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang inyong kaligtasan at kapakanan,” Go remarked.
“Kaakibat riyan ay ang pagsiguro ng kinakailangang kagamitan sa pagresponde sa oras ng sakuna at dekalidad at naaayon sa international standards. Ibig sabihin, karagdagang fire fighters at modernong kagamitan para masigurong lagi tayong handa sa anumang sakuna,” he continued.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reassured the fire victims that the government continues to prioritize inoculating the poor and other vulnerable groups. He then urged those eligible to participate in the national vaccination campaign.
“Patuloy pa rin po ang ating pagbabakuna kaya naman hinihikayat ko po kayong lahat dito sa Zamboanga City na magpabakuna na po kayo. Kung ano po ang bakunang nasa harapan niyo, magpaturok na po kayo para po sa proteksyon ninyo at ng inyong mga pamilya,” Go encouraged.
