SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go provided immediate aid to fire victims at the Mayor’s Office in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, on Thursday, February 22. Go’s Malasakit Team gave four affected households financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, vitamins, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry also conducted evaluations to provide them with necessary housing or livelihood assistance.
Highlighting March as Fire Prevention Month, Go underscored in his video message the devastating impact that fires can have on lives, property, and local economies. He called for enhanced community awareness and preparedness to mitigate fire risks, urging local governments to collaborate on education and prevention efforts.
As part of his advocacy to help the province improve public service delivery, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has likewise supported the concreting of roads in Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, and Tacurong City. Additionally, he supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Columbia and Isulan and the procurement of ambulance units for other towns.
For his part as a lawmaker, Go spotlighted the current modernization efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), facilitated by the implementation of Republic Act No. 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act, primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, which requires the agency to undergo a decade-long modernization effort.
This Act aims to transform the bureau into a world-class institution, improving its fire response capabilities. This will be achieved through expanding the firefighter workforce, procuring advanced fire-fighting equipment, and providing specialized training and other strategic initiatives.
“Sa pagiikot ko ng bansa para makatulong sa mga nasunugan, nakita ko po talaga ang importansya ng pagpapalakas ng ating fire prevention campaigns. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pag-apruba ng BFP Modernization Act para mas lalo pang lumakas ang kapasidad ng ahensya,” expressed Go, referred to as Mr. Malasakit due to his steadfast commitment to aiding the underprivileged.
“Sa mga nasunugan naman po, alam ko pong napakahirap ng panahon ngayon at kayo po ay nasunugan pa pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang pera naman po ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo palagi,” he reminded.
As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go extended additional support for individuals requiring medical care. He recommended they seek aid through the services offered at the Malasakit Center, within the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan.
The lawmaker principally authored and sponsored RA 11463. There are 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide that have helped around ten million indigent Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
Furthermore, Go champions enhancing healthcare accessibility at the grassroots level, advocating for establishing additional Super Health Centers nationwide, including 12 in the province. Through the collective efforts of Go, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Super Health Centers offer health services, including database management, outpatient care, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, 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.
