PASAY CITY -- On Saturday, February 19, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided aid to families whose houses were damaged by recent fire incidents in the cities of Manila and Marikina. He assured them that the government will do its best to help them recover from the incident.

The senator’s staff conducted the distributions at Barangay Nangka Civic Center in Marikina City and Vencho’s Basketball Court in Manila City where they gave grocery packs, meals and masks to a total of 106 families. They also provided select individuals new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets.

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

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development committed to give separate financial assistance to the affected families at a later date.

In a video message, Go expressed his confidence that following the implementation of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, the country’s fire response and prevention efforts will further improve.

Under RA 11589, which was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate, the fire bureau shall acquire new equipment, recruit more personnel, and provide specialized training for firefighters, among others. It also mandates the 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.

“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,” the senator shared.

“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya nag-file ako ng batas para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection,” he added.

Go also offered to help those in need of medical attention and encouraged them to avail of assistance from the government through any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila or 149 centers operational nationwide.

Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program provides convenient access to medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The senator then thanked and recognized the local officials for their untiring service and dedication to assist the affected families in their respective cities.

“Kami naman po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magtiwala lang tayo sa gobyerno, magtulungan lang tayo,” stressed Go.

“Alam ko po na hirap kayo, hirap din po kami ni Pangulong Duterte. Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin para po makapagserbisyo po kami upang malampasan natin itong pandemyang ito,” he added.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported several projects to boost economic opportunities and development across Metro Manila, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings and halls in the cities of Mandaluyong, Quezon and Parañaque; acquisition of ambulance units in the cities of Manila, Navotas, Parañaque, Taguig and Valenzuela; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in the cities of Manila and Muntinlupa; rehabilitation of facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College in Navotas City; and the construction of a seven-storey Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence in Valenzuela City.

The senator also supported the construction of an advanced Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Vertical Expansion of New ER Building in East Avenue Medical Center, and the rehabilitation of road networks of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center, all in Quezon City.

Earlier this year, Go’s team mounted a series of similar relief operations for hundreds of fire victims in the cities of Parañaque, Pasig, Taguig, Marikina and Quezon. (OSBG)