ON Wednesday, October 16, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team visited Butuan City to help in the rebuilding and recovery efforts of fire victims.
“Ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nakakabili ng buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante ay buhay tayo kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa ating ng Panginoon,” Go said in a video message.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA), through its Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), which Senator Go has been a staunch advocate for, also provided emergency housing assistance to the affected families to help them rebuild their homes.
“Isinulong natin ang programang EHAP noon at patuloy ko itong sinusuportahan ngayon upang matulungan ang mga biktima ng iba’t ibang sakuna na makabili ng materyales para sa bahay tulad ng yero, pako, semento, at iba pang pangangailangan,” Go explained.
The EHAP program is designed to provide immediate relief and support to families who have lost their homes due to disasters like fires, typhoons, and earthquakes. By advocating for the continuous implementation of EHAP, Go aims to ensure that affected families receive the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives and homes.
He also highlighted Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored. The Act encompasses acquiring new fire equipment, recruiting additional firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other enhancements.
During the relief activities held at Brgy. Port Poyohon and Brgy. Limaha, Go’s Malasakit Team, in coordination with Port Poyohon Barangay Captain Archie Palad-Golde and Limaha Barangay Captain John Benjamin Rosales, provided food packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to 39 affected families. Select recipients were also given a mobile phone, a sling bag, and a new pair of shoes.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to visit the nearest Malasakit Center located at Butuan Medical Center.
Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, mandates all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals to establish their centers, providing convenient access to government medical assistance programs.
“The goal of the Malasakit Center is to cover your hospital bills. Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” Go explained.
There are currently 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped over 15 million Filipinos nationwide according to the data from DOH.
“Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo, mga kapwa nating Pilipino. Nandito lang ako na handang magserbisyo sa inyo dahil ‘yan po ang aking bisyo, ang magserbisyo,” urged Go, who is also known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassion for the poor.
