THE Malasakit Team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Barangay Batis, San Juan City, on Monday, April 22, to hand out immediate assistance to residents whose houses were damaged by a fire incident last April 16.
In a video message, Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor, reassured the 190 affected families who were gathered along Isla F. Manalo Street that the government continues to prioritize the improvement of the Bureau of Fire Protection in dealing with fire-related incidents and creating more prevention campaigns that would raise awareness, particularly in poor communities.
Also known as the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, Republic Act No. 11589, primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the bureau to develop and implement a ten-year modernization program, which includes the provision of specialized training, expansion of manpower, and acquisition of new and advanced fire equipment, among others.
“Importante po na mabigyan ng suporta ang modernization ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection dahil napaka-importante ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila upang makapagligtas ng buhay,” said Go.
“Halos linggu-linggo po akong bumababa sa mga nasusunugan. Nakikita ko po ang hirap ng ating mga kababayang nasunugan. Kahit isang bahay lang po ang masunog, damay po pati ang kapitbahay. Maraming pamilya ang apektado. Kaya po dapat lang na palakasin ang kapasidad ng BFP sa pagresponde sa sunog,” he added.
Go’s Malasakit then handed out grocery packs, snacks, masks, vitamins, and shirts to all affected, as well as shoes and a mobile phone to select recipients.
The Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography then urged the family members to prioritize their health. It encouraged them to visit any of the 31 Malasakit Centers across Metro Manila if they need medical care, including one located at the San Juan Medical Center.
The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored in the Senate to help indigent patients with medical-related expenses. Since its inception, 163 centers have been established that have helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide.
The center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos, indigent patients, can conveniently access medical assistance programs offered by the concerned agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the 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.
