PASAY CITY -- On Friday, July 29, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team deliver assistance to fire victims in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

In his video message, Go assured the victims that the Bureau of Fire Protection is undergoing a modernization program to improve its capability to address fire-related incidents.

Under Republic Act No. 11589, which Go primarily authored and co-sponsored, BFP is mandated to undergo a ten-year modernization program that includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters. It likewise directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the respective local government units.

“Naisabatas na natin ito pong modernization of Bureau of Fire Protection, karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang firefighters, at monthly education campaign, tutulungan po ang mga kababayan natin na mag-ingat po,” said Go.

“Mag-ingat dahil maraming bahay na dikit-dikit. Alam niyo bawat bahay na nasusunog, damay 'yung kapitbahay. Dahil nga po dikit-dikit 'yung bahay, ganoon po 'yung kadalasang nangyayari. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo mga kababayan ko,” he reiterated.

Go’s team held the distribution at Brgy. Villamonte Gymnasium where they provided grocery packs, masks, snacks, and shirts to a total of 14 families, composed of 43 individuals. They also provided phablets, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

Moreover, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was present and distributed financial aid while the National Housing Authority further assessed the needs of the fire victims and committed to provide necessary housing assistance.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed potential beneficiaries for their livelihood and scholarship programs, respectively.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then appealed to those eligible family to get vaccinated.

He also expressed hope for the country to achieve population protection leading to herd immunity soon as long as Filipinos continue to be disciplined and supportive of the government’s pandemic efforts.

“Nasa datos naman po na kung kayo po ay bakunado, mas protektado po kayo sa mas malubhang symptoms na dulot ng COVID-19. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang din naman kapwa nating Pilipino. Malalampasan din natin ito,” Go emphasized.

“Maganda po ang takbo ng ating vaccination drive pero umaapela pa rin po ako sa lahat na patuloy niyo lang pong sundin ang mga health protocols para tuluy-tuloy na ang ating economic recovery,” he urged.

As part of his commitment to ensure that underprivileged Filipinos get the medical attention they need, Senator Go encouraged the beneficiaries to visit Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in the city where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist them.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go also principally authored and sponsored, mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals, plus the Philippine General Hospital, to provide necessary assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients by covering various patient services and fees. To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped over three million Filipinos.

“'Wag po kayong mag-alala. Alam ko pong masakit masunugan, halos balik ulit sa umpisa. Pero ito na lang po ang tandaan niyo parati - ang pera ay kikitain natin, pero ang pera na ating kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya magtulungan lang tayo mga kapatid, kaya natin itong malampasan,” Go expressed.

“Alam kong hindi po ito sapat para sagutin ang lahat, pero ako po'y naririto na nakikiramay rin po sa nangyari sa inyo, at bukas po ang aming opisina na tumulong po sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magtulungan lang po tayo,” he ended.

Last July 20, the team of Go also visited Bacolod City and assisted more fire-hit communities in Brgys. Handumanan and Felisa. (OSBG)