SENATOR Bong Go helps fire-affected families in General Santos City. Calls for vigilance during Fire Prevention Month.
“Sa mga nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante ay buhay tayo kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa ating ng Panginoon,” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in a video message, told recovering victims of a recent fire incident in Purok San Juan Extension Silway, Barangay Dadiangas West, General Santos City as his Malasakit Team offered them aid on Tuesday, March 5.
The relief activity was held at the GKK San Juan Chapel, where 76 families received snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball from Go’s Malasakit team. Select individuals received shoes and a watch.
Meanwhile, representatives from the National Housing Authority (NHA) conducted an assessment to identify those eligible for their emergency housing assistance program.
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go highlighted the significant progress of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) modernization program, as mandated by Republic Act No. 11589, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored. The modernization initiative encompasses a comprehensive plan to enhance the BFP’s operational capacity.
This program’s key components include acquiring advanced fire equipment, expanding the workforce by hiring additional firefighters, and offering specialized training programs to ensure a well-prepared and efficient response team.
Furthermore, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged those with health issues to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in the city and South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Currently, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has aided around ten million Filipinos.
Go also mentioned that he continues to advocate for more health facilities nationwide, such as establishing Super Health Centers. Through the collective efforts of 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 around 700 Super Health Centers.
In South Cotabato, a total of 15 Super Health Centers are funded. Three Super Health Centers are likewise funded in General Santos City.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the construction of roads in Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Tantangan, and Surallah; the acquisition of a dump truck for the local government of Norala; construction of riverbank protection in Koronadal City and Tboli; installation of street lights in Koronadal City, Norala and Tupi; and the construction of a slaughterhouse in Tboli.
“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,” said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
