PASAY CITY -- On Thursday, April 21, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered aid to 50 families and business owners who were affected by a recent fire incident, damaging both residential and commercial spaces in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

In his video message, Go reassured that the government continuously strives to improve fire protection services in the country following the implementation of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act.

“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang aming binibisita sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng tulong,” said Go who is a principal author and co-sponsor of the BFP modernization law.

“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya naman nag-file ako noon ng panukalang batas para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection,” he added.

Go’s team provided grocery packs, masks and snacks to the fire victims at the City Social Welfare and Development Office. They also gave shirts, shoes, computer tablets and bicycles to select individuals.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance while the National Housing Authority further assessed the needs of the victims and provided them necessary housing assistance.

In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated potential beneficiaries for their livelihood and scholarship grants, respectively.

“Sana po’y nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam ko pong mahirap po ang panahon ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Kailangan pong magtulungan tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go encouraged.

Go then urged those with health concerns to avail assistance from the Malasakit Centers across the province, including one at the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital.

The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Other Malasakit Centers in Cebu are located at the Talisay City District Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital in Cebu City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

In line with his commitment to prioritize the health and well-being of the Filipinos, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, once again called on the eligible public to participate in the national inoculation program, saying, “Ang bakuna lamang ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay.”

“Nasa datos naman po, ‘pag kayo po’y bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa pagkasakit ng COVID-19 o ito pong grabeng pagkasakit ng COVID-19 at maiiwasan po ang pagkamatay ‘pag kayo po ay protektado,” he reiterated.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported the acquisition of multipurpose vehicles for the city government and the construction of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital Center Building.

He likewise supported 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.

The lawmaker also recently sponsored a bill which will increase the bed capacity of the VSMMC from 1,200 to 1,500 beds. The measure has been approved on the third and final reading in the Senate, together with 14 other local hospital bills that Go likewise sponsored.

"Mga kaigsuonan, mga Bisaya, daghang salamat sa inyong tabang sa amoa ni Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte. Kami pud, mga Bisaya man pud mi, utang kabubut-on, dili kalimtan. Ug timan-i ninyo, mga Bisaya, pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," he remarked.

("Sa mga kapatid ko, mga Bisaya, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong sa amin ni Presidente [Rodrigo] Duterte. Kami rin, mga Bisaya rin kami, utang na loob, hindi nalilimutan. At tandaan ninyo, mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte.")

On April 14, similar distributions were conducted by Go’s team for fire victims in Barangays Tisa, Sto. Niño, Toong, Lahug, Kinasang-an, Talamban, Calamba, Inayawan, Capitol Site and Labangon in Cebu City. (OSBG)