PASAY CITY -- As he continues to provide assistance to more disaster-affected communities across the country, Senator Christopher “Bong'' Go reiterated the importance of intensified fire prevention and safety awareness campaigns to reduce the loss of life from fire-related incidents.
Go expressed his sympathy to 230 families whose houses were damaged by two separate fire incidents in Mandaue City, Cebu as his team provided them with necessary assistance at the Pagsabungan Gym and Sitio Utnay Gym on Thursday, April 7.
In accordance with safety and health protocols, the fire victims were split into smaller batches before receiving relief items such as grocery packs, meals, masks and vitamins. Some individuals were also given new pairs of shoes, bicycles, watches and computer tablets.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the affected families to further help them recover from the damages caused by the fire.
Through his video message, Go reassured the beneficiaries that the government is exerting great efforts to improve the efficiency of the Bureau of Fire Protection in addressing fire incidents and other disasters.
“Marami rin akong isinulong na batas sa Senado tulad nitong Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization (Act). Karagdagang gamit, karagdagang firefighters at monthly education campaign para turuan natin ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat. Dahil kapag mayroong nasunog na isang bahay, damay ang kapitbahay. Kaya ingat kayo palagi,” he said.
The BFP Modernization Act was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go and was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in September last year.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go appealed to the families to participate in the national vaccination program once eligible to build their body’s defenses against COVID-19.
“Mga kababayan, makikiusap lang ako sa inyo, magpabakuna na kayo. Makikiusap lang kami ni Presidente Duterte sa inyo kung hindi pa kayo bakunado ay magpabakuna na kayo,” stressed Go.
“Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para dahan-dahan na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay. Kapag bakunado kayo, mas protektado kayo mas maiiwasan ang pagkamatay at pagkasakit ng COVID-19 kapag bakunado kayo,” he reiterated.
In addition, the senator encouraged the public to seek medical care from the Malasakit Center at the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital (ECSGH) in the city where they can conveniently access medical assistance programs from the government.
A one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center puts together partnered agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, in one office to help poor and indigent patients lower their medical expenses by covering various patient services and fees.
Since the first Malasakit Center was launched in 2018 in Cebu, there are now 151 centers nationwide that have assisted over three million Filipinos across the country. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise supported initiatives to improve public service delivery and increase economic opportunities in the city such as the construction of a seven-story building in ECSGH and the improvement of road and drainage structures.
He also supported other projects in the province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; acquisition of ambulance unit in Madrilejos and Naga City; the improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan, and many others.
Finally, the senator commended local officials for their untiring service and support to their constituents.
“Mga kababayan, nandito lang kami ni Presidente Duterte na handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Pipilitin namin na magtrabaho para sa inyo. Mahal namin kayong lahat mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo mga kababayan namin,” assured Go.
“At lagi nating tatandaan, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anong kabutihan at tulong ay puwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa tao ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he ended. (OSBG)
