BONG GO PROVIDED EXTRA AID TO HELP TUBURAN, CEBU FLOOD VICTIMS REBUILD

On Friday, April 26, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team extended additional assistance to the residents of Tuburan, Cebu, affected by a previous flooding incident. This effort is part of ongoing initiatives to aid disaster victims in their recovery and rebuilding processes.

The distribution event was held at the Barangay 8 covered court, coordinated with the local government unit of Tuburan headed by Mayor Aljun Diamante. Go’s team distributed food packs, shirts, masks, vitamins, snacks, sockets, and sports equipment such as basketballs and volleyballs to 68 residents. Select recipients also received shoes and a mobile phone.

The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), which Go advocated for and continues to support, provided financial assistance for housing materials to the victims, helping them purchase necessary items like roofing sheets, nails, cement, and other equipment.

“Isinulong natin ang programang EHAP noon at patuloy ko itong sinusuportahan ngayon upang matulungan ang mga biktima ng baha na makabili ng materyales para sa bahay,” Go said in a video message.

Go, also known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to impoverished Filipinos, highlighted SBN 2451, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he co-sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. Building on the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill he filed earlier, the proposed legislation underscores the necessity of establishing mandatory evacuation centers in provinces and municipalities.

As the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Go encouraged the fire victims to take advantage of available medical assistance from the government by visiting the Malasakit Centers.

These centers were institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, principally authored and sponsored by Go, and offer a one-stop shop for various medical assistance from government agencies. The Department of Health (DOH) reported that over ten million Filipinos have benefitted from the 163 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide.

In Cebu, these centers are located at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and Cebu City Medical Center, all in Cebu City. Other Malasakit Centers exist at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City.

Go expressed his gratitude to all local officials, including Congressman PJ Garcia, Mayor Diamante, Vice Mayor Danny Diamante, and Barangay Captain Ivy Lutero, emphasizing the vital role of community solidarity in recovery efforts.

“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng ating mga local officials. Kung wala po ang inyong malasakit sa ating kapwa ay hindi po natin maaabot ang inaasam na pagbalik sa normal. Tulungan natin sila hanggang makabangon sila muli,” he said.

“Ako naman ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil yan po ang pinangako ko sa inyo bilang Mr. Malasakit, ang pagserbisyuhan kayo mga kababayan ko. Bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.