SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, sent his Malasakit Team to provide assistance to fire victims in Barangay Balulang Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, March 13.
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go encouraged affected residents, saying, “Mga kababayan, sa mga nasunugan, ‘wag kayong mawalan ng pag asa. Ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan kung magtutulungan lang tayo at nandito kami handang tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Ang pera, kikitain niyo ‘yan kung magsumikap lang tayo pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever.”
As part of his commitment to ensuring the government is ready and equipped to deal with fire-related incidents, Go highlighted Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored, to further enhance the firefighting capability of the agency.
The relief activity was held at the covered court of Brgy. Balulang, where 25 families received financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
The National Housing Authority committed to extending housing assistance based on their assessment, while the Department of Trade and Industry also evaluated recipients for possible livelihood support.
Apart from the relief given, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to those who may need medical assistance as he encouraged them to visit Northern Mindanao Medical Center or J.R. Borja General Hospital in the city, where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist their medical-related expenses.
“Mayroon na tayong 161 na Malasakit Centers. Ang Malasakit Center ay batas na ‘yan na aking isinulong, na pinirmahan ni dating presidente Rodrigo Duterte. One-stop shop, nasa loob ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO DOH, DSWD, tutulungan kayo. Para talaga ‘yan sa poor and indigent patient. Para iyan sa Pilipino, inyo talaga ang Malasakit Center,” explained Go who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
According to DOH, these centers have helped more than ten million indigent patients.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several initiatives in the city aimed to progress the community. The projects include constructing a drainage system and flood control structures along the Iponan River, acquiring several ambulance units and fire and dump trucks, and creating a three-story multipurpose building.
“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,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
