PASAY CITY -- A day after his visit to fire victims in Quezon City, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited and led the relief effort for 104 fire victims in Manila City on Wednesday, May 18.

In his remarks, Go reiterated his appeal to the residents to continue adhering to the safety protocols against COVID-19 to help hasten the recovery of their community from crisis situations. More so, Go reminded the Manileños to do their part in helping the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity by taking part in the national inoculation drive.

“Patuloy pa rin po ang pagbabakuna ng gobyerno. Bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Meron na po tayong 245 million doses of vaccines na dumating sa ating bansa at ito po ay libre naman po galing sa gobyerno kaya po magpabakuna na po tayo,” Go urged.

“Gusto ko kayong yakapin sa totoo lang po (pero) marami pang bawal. Pero ‘pag makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay, pwede na po natin kamayan at yakapin ang isa’t isa, at yun po ang aking inaasam pagdating po ng panahon,” he expressed.

Senator Go and his team then distributed grocery packs, canned goods, masks, meals, shirts, and vitamins to the affected families at the Brgy. 310 Covered Court.

Go also gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles, watches, and phablets to select recipients. As part of his commitment to promoting sports development in the grassroots, the senator also handed out basketballs and volleyballs to select youth beneficiaries.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave cash assistance to each affected household. Meanwhile, the National Housing Assistance assessed the needs of the fire victims and extended necessary housing assistance.

Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted an evaluation of potential beneficiaries for its livelihood program.

“Mga kababayan ko dito sa Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila, nung nabalitaan ko pong nasunog dito, sabi ko (ay) pupuntahan ko po kayo dahil yan naman po ang pangako sa inyo. Basta po kaya ng aking katawan, kaya po ng aking oras, nasunugan, pumutok na bulkan, lindol, o kahit na anumang sakuna ay pinupuntahan ko talaga,” Go reassured.

“Ayaw ko pong manatili lang sa opisina na nakaupo doon at kayo po dito ay nangangailangan ng tulong… Makapagbigay lang ng konting tulong, makapagbigay ng solusyon sa inyong mga problema, at makaiwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati, nakakawala po talaga ng pagod, sa totoo lang po,” he shared.

Continuing his message, Go also reminded the public to take advantage of the services offered in any of the five Malasakit Centers in the city located at Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.

“Meron na ho tayong 151 Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handa pong tumulong sa inyo hanggang maging zero balance ang inyong billing at wala na po kayong babayaran. Yan po ang Malasakit Center (at) para po yan sa poor and indigent patients,” Go explained.

Go then underscored the importance of improving the Bureau of Fire Protection’s capabilities in addressing fire-related incidents in the country. In this regard, Go primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589 which provides for the modernization of the BFP.

Under the law, the agency undergoes a ten-year modernization program that would include the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of more personnel, and provision of highly specialized training programs.

The BFP is also mandated to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, especially in informal settlements, economically depressed areas and far-flung communities.

“Bilang inyong senador, yung pinangako ko po sa inyo (ay) naisakatuparan (na). Ito pong modernization ng Bureau of Fire Protection ay naisakatuparan. Karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang firefighters, at monthly education campaigns para turuan po ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat po,” the lawmaker explained.

“Ingat tayo dahil bawat bahay na nasusunog, nadadamay po ang kapitbahay. Pero huwag kayong mawalan ng pag asa. Ang gamit po, (kapag) magtulungan lang ho tayo, andiyan po yan. Ang pera po ay ating kikitain, pero yung perang kikitain po natin ay hindi po mabibili ang buhay. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo at pangalagaan natin ang buhay ng bawat isa,” reminded Go.

The senator likewise expressed his appreciation towards the uniformed personnel who continue to play a significant role in President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority campaigns.

Even before becoming senator, Go was instrumental in pushing for the salary increase of all uniformed personnel. In 2018, President Duterte signed Joint Resolution No. 1 which increased the base pay of all military and other uniformed personnel in the government.

“Ang mga pulis po ngayon ay nalalapitan (at) ginagalang po, sa totoo lang. Nagpapasalamat po kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo. Kaya po inuna namin ang sweldo ninyo na madoble para magsipag pa po kayo lalo,” Go underscored.

“Mahihirapan po si Pangulong Duterte sa kampanya laban sa kriminalidad at iligal na droga kung hindi po dahil sa mga tulong ng mga pulis. Kaya po niya dinoble ang sahod ng mga pulis,” he cited.

To boost infrastructure development and provide more economic opportunities in Manila City, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the road improvement along Tayuman Street to Dagupan, construction of a three-story multipurpose building in Malacañang Park, and the structural improvement of public buildings and construction of evacuation centers, among others.

He also supported the acquisition of medical supplies, multipurpose vehicles, rescue patrol service vans, and educational supplies for the local government to utilize.

“Yung serbisyo ko po, wala pong pinipiling panahon yan. Hindi po panahon lamang ng eleksyon ang aking serbisyo. May eleksyon o walang eleksyon, handa po akong magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go vowed.

“Basta andirito lang po ako, kami po ni Pangulong Duterte (kahit na) patapos na po ang kanyang termino. Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin, kami po ang (dapat) magpasalamat po sainyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na magserbisyo po,” he concluded. (OSBG)