PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go brought hope and support to the residents who were affected by a fire incident in Manila City as he personally provided them assistance on Wednesday, March 9.

During his actual visit, Go reiterated his commitment to help Filipinos recover from crisis situations even at the height of the pandemic. The senator also reassured that the welfare of the poor and vulnerable sectors remains the top priority of the Duterte Administration.

“Basta sa amin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, magtrabaho lang kayo, magnegosyo lang kayo nang maayos. Huwag lang droga, huwag lang kriminalidad. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan dahil naiintindihan po namin ang inyong hirap,” Go remarked.

“Alam niyo, mahal na mahal namin kayong lahat. Ma-Kristiyano, ma-Muslim, pare-parehas po tayong mga Pilipino,” he emphasized.

As Baseco's population mostly consists of Muslim immigrants, Go also reaffirmed his solidarity with Muslim Filipinos, saying, “Alam n’yo mga kapatid naming Muslim, mahal na mahal namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte alam n’yo ‘yon. Ilang beses na akong nakabalik dito sa Baseco. Ako po’y taga-Mindanao, tulad ninyo mga Maguindanao, Maranao, nanggaling rin po kayo Mindanao, kapitbahay lang po tayo.”

“Alam n’yo sa Davao pantay-pantay po ang tingin namin sa inyo. Ako po ang inuutusan ni Mayor Rody Duterte noon, ‘pag mayroon po siyang ipinapadala sa Mecca – iyon pong magha-Hajj. Alam n’yo pinipili namin ‘yung pinakamalayong mosque, pinipili namin ‘yung pinakamahirap. Kasi itong isang pagkakataon mo lang sa buhay mo na makapunta ka doon at makapag-pilgrimage ka. Ganoon namin (kayo) kamahal – pinipili namin ‘yung talagang deserving at ‘yung pinakamahirap,” he further cited.

The senator and his staff conducted the relief operation at Baseco Compound Port Area where they handed out grocery packs, masks, vitamins and meals to 225 fire-hit families.

Meanwhile, Go also provided new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets to select individuals. He then reached out to those with walking impediments and gave them wheelchairs, crutches, and walking canes.

“Sa mga nasunugan naman po, huwag kayong mag-alala. Importante po ay buhay tayo. Importante po na magtulungan tayo. Ang gamit po ay nabibili. Ang pera po ay kikitain natin, magsipag lang ho tayo. Ngunit, ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” Go said.

As part of the government’s response, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also separately provided financial assistance to each affected family while the Department of Health distributed vitamins and assorted medicines.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority teamed up and provided the fire victims with fresh vegetables and fish, and cans of sardines.

The National Housing Authority, meanwhile, assessed the needs of the families and extended the necessary housing assistance. Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated potential beneficiaries for its livelihood program.

“Basta magtulung-tulong ang gobyerno, magtulungan lang ho tayo, malalagpasan po natin ang ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” Go reassured.

“Pinaparating din ng Pangulo ang kumusta niya sa inyo at mahal na mahal niya kayo. At sinabi niya na kami po rito ay handa pong magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he added.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also urged the eligible beneficiaries not to waste the opportunity to get vaccinated and boosted to better protect themselves from COVID-19.

“Please lang po, nakikiusap po kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo na magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon. Kung hindi pa po kayo bakunado, kami na ang magdadala sa inyo,” Go appealed.

“(Mahigit) 233 milyong bakuna na ang dumating. Libre po ito mula sa gobyerno, inyo po ito. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo. Huwag lang po kayong matakot sa bakuna, para naman makabalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay,” he added.

The senator then offered additional aid to residents in need of medical care. He advised them to seek medical assistance from any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, five of which are located in the city.

A one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center brings together concerned government agencies, including DSWD, DOH, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. To date, there are 151 operational centers that have assisted more than three million poor and indigent Filipino patients nationwide. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The Malasakit Centers in the city of Manila are located at Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, and Tondo Medical Hospital.

“Para po yan sa poor and indigent patients, para po yan sa mahihirap, para po yan sa Pilipino at wala pong pinipiling pasyente yan. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center,” Go said.

Go likewise offered assistance to those who wish to return to their provinces and start a new life. He encouraged them to apply for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program which offers a tailored assistance package for each beneficiary household and includes livelihood and/or housing support.

Meanwhile, Go commended the local officials for working together to help the affected residents recover. The senator further appealed for them to continue serving their constituents to ensure that they are well-supported during these challenging times.

“Huwag niyo po kaming pasalamatan. Kami po ang magpapasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo ho kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed.

“Ako po'y nangako sa inyo na kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta nasunugan kayo, nabagyo, lindol, pumutok ang bulkan, pupuntahan ko talaga 'yan. Basta kaya lang po ng aking katawan at panahon ay pupuntahan ko po kayo, 'yan po ang ipinangako ko sa inyo mga kababayan ko,” he ended.

To improve public service delivery, Go supported the funding of several projects in the city including road improvements; acquisition of ambulance, multipurpose vehicle, medical supplies and equipment, and educational supplies; among others.

The lawmaker also primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act that provides for a ten-year modernization program for BFP that includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of BFP’s manpower, and provision of specialized training, among others. (OSBG)