PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team was in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City on Friday, February 18, to give hope and support as they provided 154 fire victims aid to address their immediate needs, including financial assistance and grocery packs.
Apart from the above assistance, the team also distributed meals and masks and provided select individuals new shoes, bicycles and computer tablets at the Manuel Roxas High School Covered Court.
In addition, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance as part of the government’s relief measures for individuals affected by crisis situations.
“Pang-ilang beses na kaming nakabalik para sa mga nasunugan diyan sa Quezon City. Huwag kayong mag-alala. Magtutulungan tayo dito upang malampasan natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” Go told the victims in a video message.
“Nandito ang gobyerno, nandito kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Kung ano ang puwede namin maitulong, magsabi lang kayo at gagawin namin ang lahat upang magserbisyo sa inyo,” he continued.
To ensure the victims’ full recovery, the senator also offered to help those in need of medical care. He encouraged them to seek the services of any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, with 149 centers operational nationwide, where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
In Quezon City, Malasakit Centers are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
“Basta, ‘wag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin. Huwag din kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil trabaho naman namin ito ni Pangulong Duterte. Kami ang nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon para makapagserbisyo sa taumbayan. Ibabalik namin sa inyo ang serbisyong dapat sa inyo,” pledged Go.
The senator then recognized and thanked the local officials led by Paligsahan Punong Barangay Cecilia Tiamzon for their untiring service to their communities amid the challenges posed by the pandemic.
He assured that the country’s fire protection services will be further enhanced under Republic Act No. 11589. The law provides for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection, improving its capabilities to better respond to fire incidents.
The Act, which Go primarily authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, particularly in informal settlements and economically depressed areas.
As part of his commitment to assist communities in crisis, the senator’s team organized a similar effort for 450 indigent residents at the Barangay Bungad Multipurpose Building on February 15. All distributions are conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)
