PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, April 6, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go virtually checked on the situation of hundreds of families whose houses were damaged by two separate fire incidents in Barangays Sambag II and San Antonio in Cebu City.
In a video conference call, Go commiserated with the affected families as he acknowledged how distressing it is to lose almost everything that they have worked for.
“Mga kababayan ko, sa mga nasunugan, ‘wag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, magtulungan lang tayo. Ang gamit mabibili natin 'yan, ang pera mahahanap natin 'yan. Pero, ang perang kinita ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. Kaya magsikap tayo, magtulungan lang tayo. Sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kung ‘di ang kapwa nating Pilipino. Magtulungan lang tayo,” Go encouraged.
The senator renewed his appeal to the government to strengthen its fire prevention efforts and urged the public to practice fire safety in their own homes to prevent similar incidents, especially during the dry season in the country.
He then noted that the Bureau of Fire Protection is undergoing a modernization program under Republic Act No. 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, which includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters.
Primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, the law significantly improves the BFP’s capability to efficiently respond to fire-related incidents.
“Hindi lamang ang pag-modernize ng ating equipment ang makatutulong sa paglaban sa mga sunog. Mahalaga rin dito ang fire safety education kung saan maturuan ang mga kababayan natin kung paano ba maiiwasan ang mga sunog,” remarked Go.
The senator’s team mounted the relief activities at Barangay San Antonio Hall and Maharlika Gymnasium where they distributed grocery packs, meals and masks to a total of 249 families. The staff also gave shoes, watches and computer tablets to select individuals.
In addition, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial aid to help the affected families recover faster. The National Housing Authority, in turn, committed to provide housing assistance as they assessed the needs of the families.
Meanwhile, after on-site assessments, qualified individuals will receive livelihood support and scholarship grants from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, respectively.
“Mga kababayan, kung ano pa ang maitutulong namin magsabi lang kayo sa aming opisina sa abot ng aking makakaya. Basta kami ni Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte, pipilitin namin na makatulong sa inyong lahat,” reassured Go.
Continuing his remarks, Go reminded the beneficiaries that there are six Malasakit Centers in the province ready to give them medical assistance, the closest of which are located at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in the city.
The very first Malasakit Center was launched at the VSMMC in 2018 and since then, 150 other centers have been opened across the country. The center is a one-stop shop designed for poor and indigent Filipinos to ensure that they have convenient access to medical assistance programs by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Center program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he also primarily authored and sponsored.
Other Malasakit Centers are located at the Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium Hospital in Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.
As part of his commitment to improve the quality of medical services in the country, the senator also sponsored several hospital bills that will upgrade and increase the bed capacities of existing health facilities, including VSMMC from 1,200 to 1,500 beds.
Finally, the senator lauded the local officials for their immediate response to the needs of their affected constituents.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has likewise supported several projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madrilejos and Naga City.
“Naa lang ko diri na handa magserbisyo sa inyong tanan. Padayon ko magserbisyo sa inyo kay palangga ko kamo mga kaigsuonan kong Pilipino. Labi na ang mga Bisaya. Bisaya gihapon parehas ta ninyo, taga-Davao lang ko, taga-Mindanao pero pareho ta mga bisaya. Pinalangga ko kamong tanan mga Bisaya," Go ended.
(“Nandito lang ako na handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil mahal ko kayo mga kababayan kong Pilipino. Lalo na ang mga Bisaya. Bisaya rin parehas tayo, taga-Davao lang ako, taga-Mindanao pero pareho tayong mga Bisaya. Mahal ko kayong mga Bisaya.)
Last month, Go’s team provided similar assistance to more fire victims in the city. (OSBG)
