On Friday, March 22, as Senator Christopher “Bong” Go was engaged in several activities across Iloilo Province, his Malasakit Team was simultaneously extending essential support to families affected by a recent fire in Barangay Airport, Iloilo City, in partnership with Congresswoman Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda.
Go’s Malasakit Team conducted the relief activity at the Brgy. Airport Hall for a total of 84 affected families. They distributed grocery packs, snacks, masks, vitamins, shirts, balls for basketball and volleyball, and water containers. Select beneficiaries also received shoes, a mobile phone, and a bicycle.
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go informed the beneficiaries that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is undergoing a ten-year modernization program, as mandated by the BFP Modernization Act 2021. The law aims to better prepare and equip the BFP to respond effectively to fire-related incidents.
Go, a primary author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589, explained that the BFP modernization program includes acquiring new fire equipment, hiring more firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other initiatives.
In a video message, Go emphasized the irreplaceable value of human life and urged the victims to prioritize safety.
“Sa mga biktima ng sunog, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo,” he said.
He expressed concern for their well-being and encouraged them to take advantage of additional assistance, particularly for health issues, by visiting the Malasakit Centers at West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center, both in Iloilo City.
The Malasakit Centers institutionalized through RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, are one-stop shops that enable various government agencies to collaborate and assist indigent patients with medical expenses.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Act, which paved the way for establishing 161 Malasakit Centers. These centers are currently operational nationwide in 161 public hospitals and have already assisted more than ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Other Malasakit Centers in the province are at Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Western Visayas Sanitarium, and General Hospital in Santa Barbara.
To further improve the health care system and bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities, Go also advocated establishing Super Health Centers nationwide, including 27 in the province, two of which are in Iloilo City.
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Furthermore, Go also extended his support to various projects in the city, including the construction of a multipurpose building in the Iloilo City Public Market and the completion of various barangay health stations throughout the city, among others.
On the same day, Go aided a thousand indigent residents in Iloilo City. The senator also attended the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines National Summit in the city.
Earlier that day, he personally led a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Super Health Center in Lambunao and distribute aid to displaced workers.
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