DAVAO CITY — A 19-year-old incoming college freshman who was among the fire victims in Barangay Wilfredo Aquino here got a huge surprise when Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go paid them a visit on Wednesday and offered him a scholarship.
Fred Harold Juntilla Jr. was among the 14 families living in about six houses in Sitio Bulakan, Barangay Wilfredo Aquino in Agdao District here that were razed by fire last Monday.
At least four houses were destroyed and two were partially damaged by the fire that was blamed on an ongoing renovation in one of the houses.
Go arrived at past 4 p.m. to check on the fire victims before heading to a PBA event in Digos City.
“Sagdi lang kay atoang pangitaon tong illegal loggers sa Agusan ug Surigao aron ihatag nato sa inyo ang mga kahoy (Don’t worry, we’ll get the logs from illegal loggers in Agusan and Surigao),” he quipped as he handed out to the victims assistance from the Office of the President, among them food packs, hygiene kits, new clothes and cash.
Go also donated wood, galvanized roofing and other construction materials that the victims could use to rebuild their houses.
One of the fire victims, Rolen Tipudan, said he was more than thankful for the aid.
Juntilla, however, got more than that — a chance to pursue his dream of a college education.
“Gapasalamat ko kay Bong Go sa paghatag ug hinabang sa amoa, kay lisod kaayo masunugan wala gyud tanan (I thank Bong Go for his help to us. It is really difficult to be a fire victim. We lost everything we had),” said Juntilla who aspires to take up BS Education at the Holy Cross of Davao College.
Go also gave Fred his shoes in exchange for the boy’s worn-out slippers.
“Ang sapatos nagasimbolo nga ipadayon nako akoang mga damgo (The shoes signifies that I should move forward to reach my dreams),” Juntilla said.
Go afterwards proceeded to Barangay Talomo, Calinan Riverside in Campo 3, also in Davao City, to extend aid to six families who also lost their homes to fire on Tuesday.
SAP Go has visited victims of fires in Metro Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, and here, where it all began when President Rodrigo Duterte was still mayor of Davao City. (PNA)
