PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go stressed anew the importance of strengthening the Bureau of Fire Protection to better respond to fire incidents and other disasters nationwide.

The senator made the remark in a video call during the relief operations mounted by his office on Friday, January 28, for 227 families, composed of 1,014 individuals, whose houses were damaged by a fire incident in Barangay Wawa, Batangas City a week earlier.

Go expressed confidence that BFP will soon be better equipped and capable as one of the lead agencies in disaster and emergency responses, following the implementation of Republic Act 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act. Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1832 on which the law was based.

Under the 10-year modernization program mandated by the Act, BFP is expected to transform into a modern and world-class institution through the acquisition and upgrading of fire equipment, recruiting of more personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others.

It likewise 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.

Go’s team conducted the activity at Brgy. Wawa Covered Court where they distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins and masks. They also gave new pairs of shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets to select individuals.

Meanwhile, several government agencies were also present to provide separate assistance to the victims.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development extended additional cash assistance to each affected family while the Department of Health gave away assorted medicines and vitamins.

In addition, the National Housing Authority provided housing assistance to the victims. The Department of Trade and Industry, in turn, evaluated potential recipients of its livelihood grants.

“Ang lolo at lola ko po ay diyan nanggaling sa Sto. Tomas. Kaya po gusto ko po talaga na makapunta diyan nung nabalitaan ko na kayo po ay nasunugan. Ngunit unahin muna natin ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON, shared during his video call.

“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,” he continued.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go offered additional assistance to those with medical concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where concerned agencies, such as the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, are brought together under one roof to provide necessary assistance to poor and indigent patients. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance po para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital. Batas na po ‘yan, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he reassured.

He also took the opportunity to encourage eligible residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying, “Ingat kayo at magpabakuna po kayo. Kung hindi pa po kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na po kayo. Libre po ito galing sa gobyerno.”

The senator then expressed his gratitude towards the local officials of Batangas City for supporting the affected families and making sure they recover from the damages.

“Sa kapwa kong Batangueño, kung ano po maitutulong ko sa inyo ay magsabi lang ho kayo at andito lang po ako handang maglingkod. Maraming salamat po at mahal na mahal ko po kayo,” Go ended.

To help boost the economic growth of the province, Go has also supported several projects as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, Nasugbu, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas and Taal; concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Calaca, Laurel, Nasugbu and Tuy; acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan and Lemery; and acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan.

He also supported the construction of slope protection structures in Batangas City, San Jose and San Juan; construction and rehabilitation of flood control structures in Batangas City and San Juan; rehabilitation of the public market in Cuenca; rehabilitation of Dr. Ernesto Malabanan Memorial Hospital in Tanauan City; and improvement of public parks in San Nicolas.

Last month, Go’s outreach team distributed similar aid to vulnerable sectors in Lipa City, Laurel, and Sta. Teresita. (OSBG)