PASAY CITY -- In line with his commitment to support disaster-hit communities especially amid the pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent assistance to hundreds of fire victims in Cavite City on Saturday, February 19.

Go expressed his confidence that the Bureau of Fire Protection will better respond to fire incidents and other disasters following the implementation of Republic Act 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored.

Under the said law, the BFP will undergo a ten-year modernization program that will be transforming it into a modern and world-class institution by acquiring and upgrading fire equipment, hiring more firefighters, and providing specialized training for fire personnel, among others.

Likewise, it mandates BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The senator’s team distributed grocery packs, masks and meals to a total of 709 fire victims at Ladislao Diwa Elementary School. They also gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets to select individuals.

As part of the government’s efforts to help fire victims, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance while the Department of Health distributed vitamins and assorted medicines.

Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority assessed the needs of the victims and gave them support through its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry determined eligible beneficiaries for its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Livelihood Program.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan tayo. Ang importante po safe tayo. Importante po sa akin ang buhay ng bawat isa. Ang gamit naman po ay mabibili natin. Ang pera po ay kikitain natin. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay,” the senator remarked.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and an adopted son of CALABARZON, Go went on to urge Caviteños to prioritize their health and get vaccinated once eligible. He also encouraged them to visit any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province located at Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City.

“Kung mayroon pong nasaktan diyan, kung kailangan n’yo pong magpaospital, kailangan n’yo ho ng tulong sa pagpapagamot, mayroon naman ho tayong Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas,” reassured Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Kung kailangan n’yo po ng tulong sa pagpapagamot, sa Maynila, sa Heart Center, NKTI, (Philippine) Lung Center, ako na po ang tutulong sa inyo. Magsabi lang po kayo, huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa aking opisina dahil trabaho ko pong magserbisyo sa inyo,” he added.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together relevant agencies, namely, the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to provide poor and indigent Filipinos convenient access to medical assistance.

Finally, Go thanked the local officials for their immediate response to help the victims recover from the incident.

“Ang importante ngayon tulungan po natin ang ating mga biktima. Mamaya na po ‘yung pulitika. Ang importante po makaahon ‘yung mga kababayan natin,” he stressed.

To help hasten the economic recovery and boost development in the province, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported various road improvements in the cities of Cavite, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus and Tagaytay; rehabilitation of covered courts in various barangays in General Trias City; acquisition of ambulance units for the local government of Indang and Trece Martires City; rehabilitation and improvement of the municipal fire station in Noveleta; and the improvement of a sports facility in Cavite State University in Indang.

Last February 8, Go’s outreach team organized a similar relief activity for displaced workers in Bacoor City. (OSBG)