SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go‘s Malasakit Team visited Malabon City on Friday, March 22, to extend relief to fire victims residing in Barangay Tugatog in partnership with Barangay Captain Lara Cruz and the city government.
The fire incident, which occurred on March 20, has affected 15 families. The Malasakit Team then gathered the fire victims at the Barangay Tugatog Hall and delivered immediate relief, such as financial assistance, grocery packs, masks, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. There was also a select recipient of a mobile phone.
“Ang pera po’y kikitain natin, subalit ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Walang part two po ang buhay, hindi po pelikula ang buhay. Kaya importante ay buhay tayo at walang nasaktan,” the senator emphasized in a message.
As part of his commitment to ensure that the government can more efficiently address fire-related incidents and in observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act.
The said law provides for acquiring new fire equipment, hiring additional personnel, and providing specialized training for firefighters. It also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“Isa sa isinulong ko talaga noong naging senador po ako, ‘yung Modernization ng Bureau of Fire Protection – karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang fire fighters, at education campaign na turuan po ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat at makapaghanda,” noted Go.
Go then reiterated his support for the city. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of a multipurpose building in Barangay Tañong and enhancing road infrastructure in Barangay Panghulo, Malabon City.
He also supported funding three Super Health Centers in the city as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. Through the collective efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for the construction of around 700 Super Health Centers nationwide to bring primary health services closer to communities.
Go also advised those with health concerns to take advantage of the services offered in any of the 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide, with 31 across Metro Manila, including those at Ospital ng Malabon and San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital located in the city.
“Mayroon na po tayong 161 na Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handa po tumulong sa inyo… Batas na po yan na isinulong ko noon. Para po yan sa poor and indigent patients, lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit center,” highlighted Go.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act provides for the establishment of one-stop shops where poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Ako po ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” said Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor.
