PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally checked the situation of the families affected by a fire incident in Santa Cruz, Manila on Friday, April 8. Starting his remarks, he expressed that the government stays committed to help communities in distress amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other crisis situations.

“Mga kababayan ko, huwag ho kayong mawalan ng pag-asa at magtulungan lang ho tayo. Alam kong nasa gitna pa tayo ng krisis ngayon at nasunugan pa kayo, huwag ho kayong mawalan ng pag-asa at magtulungan lang tayo,” Go encouraged.

“Ang gamit po ay nabibili, ang pera po ay kikitain, subalit yung perang kikitain ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. Kaya magsipag lang tayo, kikitain natin yan. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, ang importante ay buhay po tayo at walang nasaktan,” he expressed.

The senator led the distribution activity at Cecilio Apostol Elementary School where he and his staff handed out meals, shirts, grocery packs, vitamins, and masks to 161 households, composed of 574 individuals. Meanwhile, Go gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles, watches, and computer tablets to select recipients.

As part of the government’s response efforts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development separately provided financial assistance to each affected family. Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority encouraged the affected families to apply for its housing assistance to help them rebuild their homes.

Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry gave livelihood support to qualified recipients through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Livelihood Program.

Meanwhile, Go offered help to the residents who wish to start anew in their respective provinces. He encouraged them to apply for the government’s Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program which provides beneficiaries with the necessary forms of assistance so their families can successfully build a life in their home provinces.

“Sino gustong umuwi ng probinsiya sa inyo? Meron tayong programang Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa. Itong programang ito, walang pilitan. Kung sino lang po ang gusto magbalik probinsiya at magbagong buhay doon, bibigyan kayo ng livelihood, pamasahe, o kung meron pong housing sa lugar ninyo ay bibigyan din kayo ng murang pabahay,” Go explained.

Go also reassured the families that the government continues to improve and strengthen its fire response capabilities, especially after the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, last September.

Primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, the law provides for a ten-year modernization program that includes acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting more firefighters, and developing specialized training, among others.

The senator then took the opportunity to encourage each eligible family member to participate in the national vaccination program. He likewise underscored that being vaccinated can significantly boost their defenses against coronavirus while keeping their communities safe.

“Huwag muna kayong maging kumpiyansa. Mayroon na tayong dumating na 244 million na doses of vaccines na dumating sa ating bansa. Kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” he stressed.

“Unti-unting nagbubukas ang ating ekonomiya. Hindi makakabukas at makukulong na naman tayo ‘pag tumaas na naman ‘yung kaso. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo, mga kababayan ko,” added Go.

In line with his commitment to protect the well-being of the Filipinos, Go, who also serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered assistance to residents with health concerns. He advised them to visit any of the five Malasakit Centers in the city to conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

Bringing together relevant agencies that offer medical related assistance, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that was launched in 2018 and subsequently legislated in 2019 by Go as author and sponsor of the measure in the Senate. To date, there are 151 operational Malasakit Centers that have assisted more than three million Filipinos across the country.

In Manila City, the Malasakit Centers are located at San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Fabella Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Tondo Medical Center.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Ang Malasakit Center po ay para sa poor and indigent patients. Tutulungan ho kayo niyang Malasakit Center,” Go cited.

“Huwag kayong matakot sa babayaran niyo sa hospital. Lapitan niyo lang po yung Malasakit Center o yung opisina ko po, lapitan niyo lang po. Tutulungan ho namin kayo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he added.

Go vowed that the welfare of the Filipino people will remain his utmost priority, saying, “Hindi na po ako tumuloy sa pagkandidato dahil ayaw ko pong mahirapan si Tatay Digong… Pero patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa kapwa ko Pilipino dahil ang bisyo ko po ay ang magserbisyo sa inyo.”

Go also remarked that he will continue helping the government in intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs, even after President Duterte’s term ends. He further appealed to the next leaders to continue the programs of the Duterte Administration, citing how these initiatives showed a positive impact on Filipinos’ lives.

“Ginagawa naman po ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat sa abot ng kanyang makakaya para dito sa kampanya laban sa droga. Para naman po ito sa mga anak natin. Nakikiusap po ako sa inyo na huwag niyo na sayangin ang pera niyo sa droga. Kung sino man yung mga nalulong o gustong magbagong buhay, meron naman tayong mga rehabilitation center. Magbagong buhay na po kayo, huwag niyo na pong sayangin,” Go underscored.

“Pakiusap nalang po ang amin dahil patapos naman na po ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte, nakikiusap ho kami sa inyo, huwag niyo pong sayangin ang inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte,” he concluded. (OSBG)