SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with Barangay Captain Allan Boado, assisted fire-stricken households from Barangay 846 on Tuesday, December 12.
Held at Lozada gymnasium in Brgy. 847, Go’s Malasakit Team provided grocery packs, water containers, snacks, meals, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 99 affected families. There were also select recipients of pairs of shoes.
In his video message, Go renewed his call to local government units (LGUs) to intensify and promote fire safety and preparedness in their respective communities.
“Nakakalungkot man po na masunugan dahil para po kayong bumalik sa simula pero mas importante po ang buhay ng bawat isa. Ang gamit po ay nabibili, pero ang pera na kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Kaya pag-ingatan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” said Go.
“Kaya hinihikayat ko rin po ang inyong lokal na pamahalaan na mas lalo pang palakasin ang fire prevention awareness. Karamihan po sa ating mga kababayan ang kulang pa po ang kaalaman sa fire safety kaya mas mabuti po na ibahagi natin ito sa kanila para maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari,” he added.
He also informed the beneficiaries that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is undergoing a ten-year modernization program, as mandated by the BFP Modernization Act of 2021. The law aims to prepare and equip the BFP to respond effectively to fire-related incidents.
Go, a primary author and co-sponsor of Republic Act 11589, explained that the BFP modernization program includes acquiring new fire equipment, hiring more firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other initiatives.
In collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the LGUs, the BFP conducts regular fire prevention campaigns and informational outreach programs, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged those with health issues to visit any of the Malasakit Centers located at the Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital, should they need medical assistance from the government.
The 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide have already assisted ten million indigent Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). RA 11463, which established the Malasakit Centers, was principally authored and sponsored by Go to ensure that Filipinos have convenient access to medical assistance programs by the government.
“Kung kailangan niyo po ng tulong sa pagpapaopera sa Maynila, huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa ating mga lokal na opisyal o kaya sa aking opisina. Magsabi lang ho kayo at kami po ay handang tumulong sa abot nang aming makakaya,” Go offered.
Go said the DOH has identified strategic areas in the country for the establishment of Super Health Centers, including several in the city. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 Super Health Centers in 2023. DOH, as the lead implementing agency, identifies strategic areas where these centers will be built.
Super Health Centers offer 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, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.
Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
“It’s a multi-year plan. Halimbawa, kung may problema sa heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, o kahit cancer… ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas ang mga specialty services na ito para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, aims to improve the delivery of public service in the city. It is for this reason he 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.
“Palagi po kayong magdasal at magtiwala lang po kayo sa gobyerno. Palagi po tayong magtulungan at magmalasakit mga kababayan ko at sigurado po ako na malalagpasan natin ang kahit na anumang hamon,” concluded Go.
