SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go assisted fire victims in Manila City on Friday, December 22.
The relief activity aligns with the senator’s efforts to support more vulnerable sectors, especially those facing challenges this holiday season.
Go’s Malasakit Team provided grocery packs, water containers, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 210 affected households.
They also distributed a bicycle, a watch, a mobile phone, and pairs of shoes to select recipients.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) then assessed the beneficiaries who may qualify for necessary housing assistance to help them rebuild their homes further.
The relief activity was held at Barangay 95 gymnasium in coordination with Barangay Captain Ronnie Lee.
Through a video message, Go highlighted that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently engaged in a ten-year modernization program, a move following the implementation of the BFP Modernization Act of 2021.
This program was designed to enhance the BFP’s readiness and capabilities in dealing with fire-related emergencies.
The modernization plan, as outlined in Republic Act 11589, which was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, includes several key aspects.
These include procuring new firefighting equipment, expanding the firefighter workforce, and offering specialized training, among other measures.
“Sana po’y walang nasaktan, importante sa akin na walang nasaktan. Tandaan natin, ang gamit po’y nabibili naman. Ang pera po’y kikitain natin subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Go emphasized.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended further support to beneficiaries facing health challenges.
He urged them to seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers in the city located at Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where concerned agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), are brought under one roof to assist indigent patients with their medical expenses.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Currently, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country.
The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already assisted more or less 10-M patients.
“Kung meron ho kayong pasyente at kailangan po ng tulong sa pagpapaospital, magsabi lang ho kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayo, hanggang makabalik kayo sa inyong pamamahay,” he encouraged.
Go also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers.
Through the concerted efforts of DOH, local government units, and lawmakers, adequate funding was allocated for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023.
This includes four in Manila City.
DOH, as the lead implementing agency, is responsible for identifying the optimal locations for the construction of these health centers.
Super Health Centers are medium versions of a polyclinic and an improved version of the rural health unit that offer a range of services, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit.
Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the acquisition of medical and educational supplies, surveillance systems, rescue patrol service, ambulances, and a multipurpose vehicle; and the purchase and installation of solar-powered street lighting for the city.
