THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to fire victims in Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental on Tuesday, February 6.
In a video message, Go reaffirmed his continued assistance to distressed communities in rebuilding efforts to help them recover from the crisis.
“Sa mga nasunugan, ‘wag kayong mag-alala. Ang importante buhay tayo, ang importante magtulungan tayo. Ang gamit atin ‘yang malalabhan. Ang pera ating kikitain ‘yan. Pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos,” Go encouraged.
The relief activity was held at Barangay Marayag Hall in Lupon, Davao Oriental. Go’s Malasakit Team provided relief, such as financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, masks, vitamins, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 15 families. There was also a select recipient of a pair of shoes.
Go then thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte for fully backing the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization (BFP) Act, enacted in 2021. The senator also reassured the public that the Bureau will be better equipped to handle and prevent fire-related incidents with this Act.
Go, the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589, mandates the BFP to develop a ten-year modernization fire program that includes acquiring and upgrading fire equipment, recruiting more fire personnel, and providing specialized training, among others.
“Importante po na nabigyan ng suporta ang modernization ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection dahil napaka-importante ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila upang makapagligtas ng buhay,” said Go.
Furthermore, Go also expressed his appreciation to the local government of Lupon, particularly to Mayor Erlinda Lim, Councilor Don Montojo, and Barangay Captain Joselito Limindug, among others, for their collective efforts to ensure that their constituents get the necessary attention that they need in this difficult time.
As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged the victims to seek assistance in a Malasakit Center situated at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City if they may need help with their hospital expenses.
The Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, aims to provide poor and indigent patients with convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
To date, there are now 159 Malasakit Centers that have assisted more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.
In addition to the Malasakit Centers, Go has strongly advocated establishing Super Health Centers. These health facilities offer various services, including database management, outpatient care, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, 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, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
Through the collective efforts of Go, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. In Davao Oriental, a total of 14 Super Health Centers are funded.
The senator also emphasized the significance of the recently passed RA 11959. As the principal sponsor and one of its authors, the Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals to bring specialized medical care closer to communities.
On the same day, Engr. Nico Agol from the National Housing Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry assessed those who may be eligible for housing and livelihood assistance.
