“SA ABOT NG AKING MAKAKAYA, AKO AY TUTULONG PARA SA INYONG MULING PAGBANGON,” — BONG GO GIVES ASSISTANCE TO FIRE VICTIMS IN QUEZON CITY

FIRE victims in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City, received assistance from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go through his Malasakit Team and in partnership with Congresswoman Ma. Victoria Pilar, Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Barangay Captain Cristina “Bebang” Bernardino, among others.

“Mga kababayan palagi ko kayong naririnig na nagpapasalamat sa amin ni dating presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa iba’t-ibang mga programa. Sa totoo lang, kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Mula sa puso ang aming pasasalamat sa inyo,” remarked Go in a message.

“Basta ako utusan n’yo lang ako. Mayroon kayong kuya Bong Go sa Senado. ‘Wag n’yo akong itrato na ibang tao, para lang tayong magkakapatid, magkapitbahay lang tayo. Nandirito ako ngayon sisikapin na makatulong sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he reaffirmed.

The relief activity was organized on Monday, March 18, at Purok 4 Brgy. Culiat Covered Court, where 164 fire victims received immediate assistance, such as grocery packs, water containers, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. There were also select recipients of shoes and a mobile phone.

The relief activity simultaneously happened during Go’s personal visit to Barangay San Roque, where he assisted more fire victims.

Go emphasized his ongoing efforts to assist the government in implementing a more robust fire prevention campaign in the communities. He also pointed out that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently modernizing through the implementation of the BFP Modernization Act that he primarily authored and co-sponsored which mandates the agency to undergo a ten-year modernization program.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go mentioned that there are eleven Malasakit Centers across Quezon City, including Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored in the Senate to help indigent patients with medical-related expenses. Since its inception, 161 centers have been established that have helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide.

As part of his efforts to boost the city’s health sector, Go helped secure the funds for the Philippine Orthopedic Center to construct the rehabilitation building and acquire medical equipment. Lastly, Go also supported the construction of the Nurses’ Home and some hospital improvements for VMMC.

He also mentioned that the government has allotted funds for Super Health Centers in six barangays in the city. These centers aim to bring primary care, consultations, and early detection of health issues closer to communities. Through the collective efforts of Go, the Department of Health led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.

Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported various projects in Quezon city including the construction of multipurpose buildings, road rehabilitation, installation of streetlights, drainage improvement, and flood control structures in several barangays. He also supported the repair of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Road Network and the acquisition of an ambulance, a dump truck, and four multicabs. Lastly, he also helped secure funding for the vertical expansion of a new emergency building at the Philippine Heart Center and EAMC, as well as halfway houses to be built near national specialty centers in the city.