PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the government can do more to help Filipinos recover from disasters as he renewed his appeal for the approval of a bill that will provide victims with interim housing support.
In a video message at an activity in Valenzuela City on Friday, February 11, Go raised the need to enact Senate Bill No. 2393 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, which he primarily authored. The bill seeks to assist disaster victims by helping them relocate to a temporary home during the rebuilding period.
“Ang bawat Pilipino po ay may karapatan na magkaroon ng maayos na tirahan kaya bilang senador ninyo ay naghain ako ng panukala para wala na maging squatter sa ating bayan,” said Go.
“Ngayon na sunud-sunod ang mga sakuna at patuloy ang paglaban natin sa pandemya, mas lumalala ang kalagayan ng mga Pilipino. Nakakalungkot isipin na madalas, mas takot pa ang ating mga kababayan na mawalan ng tirahan kaysa magkaroon ng COVID-19. Hindi po tama ito,” he emphasized.
The senator’s staff conducted a distribution activity at the Gen. Tiburcio de Leon Barangay Hall under strict compliance with the safety and health protocols.
They provided a total of seven families who were recently displaced by a fire with financial assistance, grocery packs, vitamins, meals and masks. A selected beneficiary also received a pair of shoes.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, on the other hand, will also extend separate financial assistance to help the families meet their daily needs.
To ensure their rapid recovery, Go offered to assist family members who are suffering serious physical injuries or other health conditions that require medical treatment. He advised them to avail further aid from the government through any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, the nearest of which are located in Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) and Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital (VCEH).
The center brings together the offices of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof. The one-stop shop aims to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering patient services and expenses, pursuant to the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go also principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
"Ito ang serbisyong ipinangako at tinupad namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte — serbisyong ramdam kahit saang sulok ng bansa. Ano nga ba ang kwalipikasyon sa Malasakit Center? Basta Pilipino, poor o indigent patient ka, qualified ka sa mga serbisyo nito. Mayroon na tayong Malasakit Centers sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao. Tuluy-tuloy lang ang pagbubukas nito dahil sa batas na ito," continued the senator.
Over three million poor and indigent patients have benefited since the program was initiated in 2018. There are currently 149 fully operational Malasakit Centers nationwide.
In the end, Go thanked local officials for their quick response and continued dedication despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. He pledged his unstinting support for the people of the city, having previously assisted in the construction of the Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence and purchase of ambulance units for the city government in his role as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Last October 7, the senator personally witnessed the launch of the country’s 142nd Malasakit Center at the VMC and visited the VCEH where his team distributed similar aid to the hospital staff and patients. (OSBG)
