IN observance of Fire Prevention Month, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally assisted fire victims in Barangay San Roque, Quezon City, on Monday, March 18, while imparting messages of resilience, unity, and public service.
“Magtulungan po tayo. Kaya po ako naririto para makatulong man lang sa inyo at makapag-iwan ng kaunting kasiyahan sa panahon ng inyong kalungkutan,” Go stated during his message to the victims.
“Importante po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ang damit nalalabhan, ang gamit nabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain. Subalit ang perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya importante buhay tayo ngayon at magtulungan,” he added.
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go reiterated the importance of more substantial fire prevention efforts among communities, especially as March is one of the most humid months.
As part of his efforts to bolster fire safety and prevention programs in the country, Go primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, to enhance the firefighting capability of the agency.
Aside from this measure, Go co-sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2451, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. The bill, primarily sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, aims to establish fully functional evacuation centers nationwide.
Go also continues to push for his filed bill, SBN No. 192, which seeks to institutionalize the Rental Housing Subsidy Program. Under the proposed measure, a housing and social protection program will be developed to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies provided by the government.
Dedicated to the welfare of the less fortunate and known as Mr. Malasakit, Go assured that his legislative priorities would always align with the needs of the marginalized.
“Asahan nyo yung mga batas na isusulong ko yung mga makakatulong sa mga mahihirap. Uunahin ko parati ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan,” he declared.
Held at the barangay hall, Go, together with his Malasakit Team and in collaboration with Barangay Captain Nonoy Mortega, led the distribution of snacks, vitamins, masks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 197 families. He also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and a watch to select beneficiaries.
He and his team also distributed warm bowls of rice porridge to the community during the activity.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority assessed the needs of the affected families and committed to helping those who will qualify for housing assistance. He also urged other concerned agencies to provide aid to the victims through their other social assistance programs.
Continuing his message, Go thanked the local officials, led by Congressman Franz Pumaren, Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, among others, for serving their constituents.
The senator, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the public to look after their health and encouraged them to seek the services of any of the eleven Malasakit Centers in the city.
In Quezon City, Malasakit Centers are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, 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.
Go is also the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program. According to the DOH, 161 Malasakit Centers have assisted over ten million Filipinos nationwide.
Go was also instrumental in pushing for funding for Super Health Centers to help bring primary health care services closer to the grassroots, particularly medical consultations and early disease detection. Through the collective efforts of Senator Go, the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of more than 700 Super Health Centers across the country including six in Quezon City.
Likewise dedicated to helping develop Quezon City, Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems in the city.
He also supported the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and VMMC road networks, road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. Dela Cruz Road, construction of an advanced cardiac catheterization laboratory and expansion of the new emergency room building at the EAMC, and construction of a five-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
“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.
