BONG GO VISITS TONDO, MANILA TO HELP THOUSANDS OF FIRE VICTIMS AS HE CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED FIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN COMMUNITIES

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his unwavering efforts to serve the Filipinos in need, has personally assisted 2,006 families affected by a recent fire incident in Barangay 105, Tondo, Manila City, on Tuesday, September 24.

Go reaffirmed his determination to carry forward a collective goal of providing a safer and more comfortable life for all Filipinos, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path to recovery.

“Noon pa man, pangako ko na kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon — sunog, putok ng bulkan, lindol, bagyo — pupuntahan at tutulungan po namin kayo. Makatulong sa abot ng aming makakaya, makabigay ng solusyon sa mga problema, at makapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” expressed Go.

“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy lang akong maghahatid ng serbisyong nararapat dahil ‘yan po ang aking bisyo, ang magserbisyo,” he added.

The Senator acknowledged the efforts of his fellow public officials, particularly his fellow Senator Francis Tolentino who also gave additional assistance to the affected residents by the recent fire before Go’s arrival. He also recognized the dedication of Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Nieto, and the barangay officials for their support being the bridge of the government to connect with the people at the grassroots level.

Go and his Malasakit Team, in collaboration with 105 Barangay Captain Elenita Reyes, gave grocery packs, water containers, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, and basketballs and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes, mobile phones, bicycles, and a watch.

Feeling the struggle of the affected victims upon seeing the situation firsthand, the Senator also gave the shoes he was wearing to one of the victims during the relief initiative.

“Mahirap pong masunugan. Masakit masunugan. Tinatanong ko una, mayroon bang nasaktan o namatay? Kaya tandaan po natin ang gamit po ay nabibili. Ang damit po nalalabhan. Ang pera po’y kikitain. Subalit ang perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Diyos lang po ang nakakaalam kung kailan tayo mawawala sa mundong ito. Pasalamat tayo buhay po tayo at magtulungan lang po tayo” encouraged Go.

The lawmaker also highlighted that the Bureau of Fire Protection is currently undergoing a modernization program aimed at enhancing its capabilities and readiness in responding to fire-related incidents.

Republic Act No. 11589, known as the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate. This law establishes a ten-year modernization program for the BFP, which includes acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting additional firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other improvements.

Go, principal author and one of the co-sponsors of Senate Bill No. 2451 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, seeks to establish Mandatory Evacuation Centers in all cities and municipalities across the Philippines if enacted into law. This bill was recently approved on the third and final reading in the Senate.

The centers aim to provide safe, clean, and decent shelters for victims of natural disasters.

Continuing his message, Go advised those with medical concerns to seek assistance from Malasakit Centers, located at Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.

A one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center provides poor and indigent patients convenient access to medical assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less 12 million Filipinos.

As the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported various projects in the city of Manila such as the improvement of the road in Tayuman St., construction of three storey Presidential Security Group Multipurpose Building, Structural Improvement of Public Building and Construction of Evacuation Centers, and Acquisition of Ambulances, among others.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” Go ended.

On the same day, the Senator personally attended the Liga ng mga Barangay National Congress Cluster 4 in Pasay City and was represented by Philip Salvador at the LNB Bulacan Chapter Provincial Congress in Cebu.