SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go extended additional aid to fire victims as he dispatched his Malasakit Team to Barangay San Pedro, Molo District, Iloilo City, on Thursday, November 28.
“Mga kababayan, sa mga nasunugan, ‘wag kayong mawalan ng pag asa. Ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan kung magtutulungan lang tayo at nandito kami handang tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Ang pera, kikitain niyo ‘yan kung magsumikap lang tayo pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” said in a message.
As part of his commitment to ensuring the government is ready and equipped to deal with fire-related incidents, Go highlighted Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored, to further enhance the firefighting capability of the agency.
The law provides for a ten-year modernization program for BFP that includes acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting more firefighters, and providing specialized training, among others.
In coordination with Congresswoman Julienne Baronda, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Guanzon, and Barangay Captain John Lapascua, among others, the relief operation was conducted at Molo 1 Elementary School, benefiting 108 families who lost their homes to the fire. They received essential supplies such as grocery packs, water gallons, snacks, fans, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. Some recipients also received shoes and a mobile phone.
Moreover, the beneficiaries also underwent assessment for the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). After which, the qualified beneficiaries may receive support for essential construction materials, such as roofing, nails, and plywood to rebuild their homes.
Senator Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and a health reforms crusader, offered further assistance to those who may need medical assistance as he encouraged them to visit Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center in the city, where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist their medical-related expenses.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals to establish their centers to provide impoverished patients a one-stop shop where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance programs by concerned agencies.
Currently, there are a total of 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide, and according to the Department of Health, these centers have helped over 15 million Filipinos.
“Mga kababayan, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anumang kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan naman ang totoo. Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” underscored Go.
