PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go once again called on for stricter vigilance and strengthened coordination among communities against disasters, especially as the COVID-19 continues to disrupt the lives of Filipino people.

On Tuesday, April 19, the senator had his team deliver assistance to fire victims residing in Barangays New Lower Bicutan and Calzada Tipas, Taguig City. He then urged local authorities, in his video message, to boost their prevention efforts to avoid fire-related incidents from happening in the future.

“Mga kababayan ko, nasa gitna pa po tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19 tapos nasunugan pa po kayo. Pero ang mahalaga po ay buhay tayo at walang nasaktan,” Go expressed.

“Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya nakikiusap din po ako sa ating LGU diyan na patuloy niyo lang pong tulungan ang mahihirap,” he urged.

Go then expressed his confidence in the government’s initiative to improve fire preparedness and response, citing that the Bureau of Fire Protection is currently undergoing a ten-year modernization program following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589.

“Karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang firefighters at monthly education campaign para turuan po at ma-educate po sa mga kababayan natin na mag-ingat kasi po bawat bahay na nasusunog, damay ang kapitbahay. Batas na po itong BFP Fire Modernization Act,” Go explained.

The BFP Modernization Act was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go.

Meanwhile, the senator reminded the affected households to make their health their priority especially during these unprecedented times. He likewise urged those qualified to participate in the national inoculation program to boost their defenses against COVID-19.

“Marami na pong bakuna ang dumating at marami pa po ang parating. Nakakatuwa po na marami na po ang bakunado. Kung meron pa po sa inyo ang hindi bakunado, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Libre po ito, pinaghirapan ng gobyerno,” Go emphasized.

“Kaya kung mahal n’yo po ang inyong mga anak, kung mahal ninyo ang inyong mga pamilya, magpabakuna na ho kayo. Iyan po ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Malapit na, kaunting tiis lang po at malalagpasan din natin ang krisis na ito,” he reassured.

Go’s team distributed grocery packs, masks, and meals to 53 families at Tipas Elementary School. They also gave away phablets, bicycles, and new pairs of shoes to select recipients.

To further hasten their recovery, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

In addition to the said assistance, Go offered to help those with medical concerns as he advised them to visit Taguig-Pateros District Hospital and get support from the government through the Malasakit Center there.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that puts together relevant agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to provide poor and indigent patients with convenient access to their respective medical assistance programs. There are 151 Malasakit Centers operational nationwide.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko, pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Tutulungan ho kayo hanggang maging zero balance ang bill niyo. Para po ito sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he said.

Go then took the opportunity to commend all of the local authorities who continue to work hard and untiringly serve their constituents through the most challenging times.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil kami po'y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po 'yan sa Diyos. Salamat at mahal na mahal po namin kayo,” he ended.

Go, who is also Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the acquisition of a patrol car and an ambulance unit as part of his commitment to accelerate and improve the public service delivery in the city.

Last April 5, Go’s outreach team also gave similar assistance to more fire victims from Barangay Bagumbayan in the city. (OSBG)