BONG GO AIDS FIRE VICTIMS IN ANTIPOLO CITY AS PART OF HIS COMMITMENT TO ASSIST CRISIS AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

“Modernizing the country’s Bureau of Fire Protection has always been one of our main advocacies with (former) president Rodrigo Duterte. Just like you, it is our vision to see a better and modern fire response service that is capable of ensuring that this country will be fire-safe,” said Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in a video message during his Malasakit Team’s relief activity for residents affected by separate fire incidents in Antipolo City on Tuesday, March 5.

Citing Fire Prevention Month, Go noted the importance of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored.

The senator underscored that the Act should significantly improve BFP’s capability to respond to fire-related incidents. It also mandates the bureau to implement monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit.

“Ang gamit po ay nabibili pero ang buhay po ay hindi. Ang nawalang buhay ay wala na. A lost life is a lost life forever, kaya mag-ingat tayo palagi. Magtulungan lang po tayo, mga kababayan ko. Makakaahon din po tayo muli,” he said.

The distribution activity was held at the respective barangay halls of Barangays San Jose and Dela Paz for 34 fire victims. Go’s Malasakit Team gave away immediate assistance, including financial assistance, grocery packs, shirts, masks, and vitamins. They also provided shoes and a mobile phone to select recipients.

Meanwhile, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and adopted son of CALABARZON region, Go supported several other initiatives to help the province’s development. These include the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono, Rodriguez, and Antipolo City; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction of the Justice Building in Antipolo City; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and the purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo, among others.

Known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor, Senator Go offered further assistance to beneficiaries who may need medical assistance. He advised them that they may visit the four Malasakit Centers in the province, including Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan.

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 and has assisted around ten million Filipinos nationwide. The center is a one-stop shop where concerned government agencies aim to ease the burden of poor and indigent patients to pay hospital bills up to the minimum cost.

“Isa itong one-stop shop kung saan pinagsama-sama na sa iisang bubong ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan kapag humihingi ng tulong pangmedikal sa pamahalaan. Kaya huwag kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa Malasakit Center dahil para sa inyo iyan,” Go said.

Additionally, Go has backed the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country, with 12 such facilities being funded in Rizal province alone. On February 11, he inspected the Taytay Super Health Center, which is currently under construction.