PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 203 or the proposed “National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act” as he urged the government to intensify its efforts to help low-income families afford their own housing.

Go reiterated his appeal in a video message during the relief activities conducted by his office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for 1,662 indigent residents at the Addition Hills Barangay Hall and Barangay Tibagan Basketball Court in San Juan City on February 22 and 23.

“Nananawagan po ako sa aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso na ipasa na natin ang National Housing Bill para sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap. Panahon na para wala nang squatter sa sariling bayan. Tulungan natin ang bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng maayos at komportableng bahay na hindi nagsisiksikan sa mga malalaking siyudad tulad ng Maynila,” said the lawmaker.

Filed by Go in 2019, SBN 203 aims to institutionalize a program that will address the housing needs of Filipinos by generating and mobilizing sustainable funds for housing projects and encouraging greater public and private sector participation. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.

Meanwhile, Go’s staff provided each resident with meals and masks and gave select individuals new shoes or bicycles for their commuting needs and computer tablets for their children’s blended learning activities.

In addition, personnel from the DSWD provided financial support under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

As the number of new daily COVID-19 cases continues to decline, the senator also urged the families to keep following the mandated health and safety protocols. He persuaded them to get vaccinated and boosted if eligible to ensure better protection against the virus.

“As we inch our way towards a better tomorrow, this is not the time to be complacent. Your cooperation, compassion, and care for others can save lives. So let us continue to work together and cooperate with the government so we can fully recover as one nation,” stressed Go.

The senator then offered additional aid to poor and indigent patients. He advised them to avail of the services of any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, the nearest of which is located at the San Juan Medical Center.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the relevant agencies, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Its primary aim is to reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering various medical services and expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Nung nagka-pandemic, nagkasakit ang kapatid ko. Dahil sa tulong ng Malasakit Center, hindi kami nahirapan na ipa-laboratory siya. Nabawasan din ‘yung bill niya sa ospital. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go dahil ginawa niya itong Malasakit Center para sa mga mahihirap. Sumakabilang buhay man ‘yung kapatid ko ay talagang malaking tulong pa rin ang nagawa niya,” shared Ma. Fe Cabrillas, 46.

“Sana ipagpatuloy niyo ang gawain at tinutulong niyo sa amin, Senator Bong Go. God bless po sa inyo,” she added.

Finally, the senator thanked the local officials for their hard work, including Representative Ronaldo Zamora, Mayor Francisco Zamora, Vice Mayor José Villa, Addition Hills Punong Barangay Herbet Chua, Tibagan Punong Barangay Daniel Gaa, Balong-Bato Punong Barangay Gerardo Gorayeb, Corazón de Jesús Punong Barangay Jaime Tabirao, Isabelita Punong Barangay Imelda Corre, Maytunas Punong Barangay Artemio Samson, and Progreso Punong Barangay Carmencita Santo Domingo.

He pledged continuous support to help more vulnerable sectors in the city amid the pandemic. On January 15 and 16, his team had also assisted 697 indigent residents at the San Juan Gym. All distributions were conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the government-issued protocols against COVID-19.

To expand access to affordable housing, the lawmaker also filed SBN 1227, otherwise known as the Rental Subsidy Program Act, in 2019 to help families displaced by disasters by offering them subsidies so they can temporarily relocate during the interim process of construction. (OSBG)