PASAY CITY -- In observance of the Fire Prevention Month, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go underscored the need to be extra cautious and to continue adhering to fire preventive measures to ensure everyone’s safety, especially during the hottest season of the year when the country is more prone to fire incidents.

During a distribution activity mounted by his team in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Wednesday, March 23, the senator remarked in his video message the significance of strengthening government efforts in addressing fire-related incidents in the country.

“Alam niyo, mahirap ang masunugan. Kapag nasunog ang isang bahay, damay ang kapitbahay, kaya mag-ingat kayo parati. Ang gamit po’y nabibili natin, ang pera kikitain natin. Pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. Kaya pakiusap ko, mag-ingat at magtulungan tayo para maiwasan natin maulit ang mga ganitong insidente,” Go stressed.

In this regard, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. The said act seeks to improve the bureau’s capabilities by acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting more firefighters, and developing specialized trainings, among others.

“Bilang Vice Chair ng Senate Committee on Public Order, marami akong isinulong para sa BFP, not only sa mga kagamitan but sa information campaign rin,” noted Go.

“Importante ang information campaign lalo sa mga lugar kung saan dikit-dikit ang mga bahay para maiwasan ang sunog dahil kapag may nasunog na isang bahay, damay ang iba,” he highlighted.

Go’s outreach team distributed financial assistance, food packs, meals and masks for ten families at Barangay 316 Hall in Sta. Cruz, Manila. In addition, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to further help them recover from the damages of the fire.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go offered support to those with medical issues. He encouraged them to visit any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila, five of which are located in the city.

The Malasakit Centers program was developed by Go to ensure that medical assistance programs by the government are more accessible to poor and indigent patients. The program was then institutionalized under Republic Act No. 114631, which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate.

The law mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals, and Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to assists patients reduce their hospital expenses to the lowest amount possible. Meanwhile, other public hospitals, including those run by local government units, may also establish their own center provided they meet a standard set of criteria.

The senator then gave recognition to the local officials of the city for providing necessary support to the victims to make certain they build back better from the disaster.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the city, including road improvements; procurement of an ambulance, a multipurpose vehicle, medical supplies and equipment, and educational supplies; and the construction of a three-story Presidential Security Group Multipurpose Building in Malacañang Park.

On the same day, another team of Go provided similar relief to struggling households in Barangay Batasan Hills in Quezon City. (OSBG)