AS part of his efforts to aid Filipinos in crises, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to recovering fire victims in Barangays Cogon, Punta, and Boroc in Ormoc City, Leyte.
“Magdasal po tayo at ipagdasal po natin ‘yung mga mahal natin sa buhay. Ang gamit po ay nabibili. Ang pera po ay kikitain rin po natin, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Ang nawalang buhay po ay wala na. A lost life is a lost life forever,” Go said in a video message.
The relief activity was held at Cogon Hall, Barangay Cogon on Sunday, March 2, where Go’s Malasakit Team provided financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 50 affected families. Barangay Cogon Captain Danda Codilla also attended the event.
“Ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan… importante po sa akin ay magtulungan po tayo… sino ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayo ring mga kapwa Pilipino,” he continued.
Simultaneously, teams from the National Housing Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated the fire victims to determine their eligibility for respective housing and livelihood assistance.
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Go highlighted the ongoing efforts of the government to strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) capability to address fire-related issues further. Go shared that the Bureau of Fire Protection is undergoing a modernization program as mandated under Republic Act 11589, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored in the Senate.
The modernization program is designed to equip BFP with better firefighting equipment, advanced rescue tools, and specialized training to swiftly and efficiently handle various emergencies.
Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged those with health concerns to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers at New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City, and Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo.
Institutionalized in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11462, which Go principally authored and sponsored, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs.
As of now, 161 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos.
Furthermore, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and with the support of LGUs and fellow lawmakers, Go has advocated for constructing Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide to bring primary health services closer to communities. In Leyte, 20 Super Health Centers are funded.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
Go, an adopted son of Leyte and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Leyte and Tolosa; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan and Tolosa; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Isabel and Villaba, among others.
