SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go provided immediate assistance to fire victims in Malolos City, Bulacan, on Wednesday, April 24. In a video message, Go conveyed his sympathy to the families impacted by the fire and assured them of his support.
“Alam kong mahirap ang masunugan pero ayaw kong mawalan kayo ng pag-asa. Tandaan ninyo, ang gamit mabibili natin, magsumikap lang tayo. Ang pera (kikitain) natin ‘yan, magsumikap lang tayong magtrabaho. Pero ang pera na kikitain natin, hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-iingat tayo palagi,” underscored Go.
Go also emphasizes the importance of enhancing fire prevention awareness in the community to prevent such accidents, especially the rising cases of fire-related incidents nowadays.
“I also encourage the local government na mas paigtingin pa ang fire prevention awareness para maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari,” the senator said as he recognized that most Filipinos lack sufficient knowledge on fire safety.
The lawmaker then highlighted the ongoing modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as mandated by Republic Act No. 11589, which Go principally authored and co-sponsored. Under said law, BFP undergoes a ten-year modernization program to effectively enhance its capabilities in responding to emergencies.
In coordination with barangay officials, the relief initiative was held at Purok 5 Look 1st Malolos City, Bulacan, where Go’s Malasakit team assisted eight families. They all received financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, the Senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, urged those with health issues to seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Joni Villanueva General Hospital (JVGH) in Bocaue, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte.
The Malasakit Center Program was signed into law in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. It aims to provide convenient access to medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Furthermore, a total of 163 operational centers were established nationwide and had helped over ten million indigent patients, according to a report by the DOH.
“Huwag ho kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa mga Malasakit Centers. Para po ‘yan sa Pilipino. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, nalulungkot po ako tuwing may mga nag-aalangan magpatingin sa doktor dahil natatakot sila sa babayaran sa hospital. Pangalagaan niyo po ang inyong kalusugan at ang Malasakit Center ay handang tumulong sa inyo,” he encouraged.
