PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his appeal for greater public vigilance against disasters and urged local government units to further strengthen fire prevention efforts in their respective communities as his team delivered assistance to fire victims in Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City on Thursday, February 24.
“Alam niyo nasa gitna pa tayo ng pandemya dahil sa COVID-19, tapos ngayon po ay nasunugan pa kayo. Pero parati kong pinapaalala sa inyo na importante po, buhay tayo at walang nasaktan,” Go remarked in a video message.
“Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pero importante buhay tayo. Magtulungan lang tayo, makakabangon rin po tayo,” he added.
The senator then assured improvements in the fire preparedness and response of the government under the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored.
“Karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang firefighters at monthly education campaign para turuan po at ma-educate po sa mga kababayan natin na mag-ingat kasi po bawat bahay na nasusunog, damay ang kapitbahay. Batas na po itong BFP Fire Modernization Act,” Go explained.
The senator then reminded the affected families to make their health and safety their top priorities especially during these unprecedented times. He likewise encouraged those eligible to take advantage of the free vaccines to boost their defenses against COVID-19.
“Mayroon na ho tayong (higit) 225 million na bakunang dumating, at mayroon na hong lampas 63 million Filipinos ang fully vaccinated. So, ibig sabihin marami na, mahigit kalahating populasyon ng Pilipino ang bakunado. Kaya huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na ho kayo. Libre po ito, pinaghirapan ng gobyerno,” Go emphasized.
“Kaya kung mahal n’yo po ang inyong mga anak, kung mahal ninyo ang inyong mga pamilya magpabakuna na ho kayo. Iyan po ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Malapit na, kaunting tiis lang po,” he added.
Go’s team provided grocery packs, masks and snacks to 138 fire victims at San Roque Central Elementary School. They also gave select residents computer tablets and new pairs of shoes, as well as bicycles to ease their commute.
Several government agencies were likewise present to extend various assistance to hasten the victims’ recovery.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance, sleeping kits and hygiene kits; the Department of Health gave additional supplies of masks and vitamins; and the National Housing Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry conducted assessments for qualified recipients of their respective assistance programs.
Moreover, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority distributed snacks and evaluated potential beneficiaries of its training program while the Land Transportation Office provided free license duplication and a theoretical driving course.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also advised those with health concerns to seek medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers in the city.
“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko, pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Tutulungan ho kayo hanggang maging zero balance ang bill niyo. Para po ito sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he said.
“Mayroon ho kayong Malasakit Center diyan po sa Zamboanga City Medical Center. Mayroon po kayo sa Mindanao Central Sanitarium. Mayroon din po sa Labuan General Hospital, binuksan po natin ito, pinuntahan ko noong nakaraang taon po, para po ito sa inyo. Handang tumulong po,” he added.
