SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go dispatched his Malasakit Team to immediately assist Barangay Manggahan fire victims in Pasig City on Friday, November 13.
In a message, Go highlighted the ongoing modernization initiatives at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to boost its capacity to handle fire emergencies and disaster situations effectively.
Under Republic Act No. 11589, which Go primarily authored and co-sponsored, the bureau is required to implement a ten-year modernization plan. This plan includes procuring advanced firefighting technology, increased staffing, specialized training for firefighters, and other enhancements.
“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,” said Go in a video message.
“Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa. Ang importante po magtulungan tayo, sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang po kapwa natin Pilipino. Kaya po nandirito kami ngayon para tulungan kayong lahat mga kababayan ko,” he added.
The Malasakit Team conducted the relief activity at Barangay Rosario Hall, where they distributed grocery packs, water containers, masks, vitamins, and shirts to 185 affected households. Select recipients also received shoes and a mobile phone.
Go, the chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and health reforms crusader, encouraged residents to take advantage of the assistance offered in Malasakit Centers nationwide, including the one at Rizal Medical Center in the city.
He is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, ready to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
“Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan nito lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” emphasized Go.
