Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, while strengthening fire prevention and response measures, provided support to fire-hit communities in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Parañaque City, and Pasig City on Thursday (Nov. 4).
Following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his confidence that the bureau will soon have sufficient resources to enhance the country’s fire response and prevention efforts.
The said law will help fund the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters. It also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
On Thursday, Nov. 4, Go’s team conducted a series of relief activities for the fire victims in the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Parañaque, and Pasig in Metro Manila.
The team distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, and masks to a total of 38 families at the respective covered courts of Brgys. Capri and Kaligayahan in Quezon City, Brgy. Bagong Silang in Caloocan City, Brgy. San Dionisio in Parañaque City, and Brgys. Manggahan and Nagpayong in Pasig City. Go’s staff strictly enforced necessary health and safety protocols to ensure the public’s safety against COVID-19.
Staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development then provided separate financial assistance as part of the government’s response to the said incident.
“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng tulong,” Go expressed in a video message.
“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya nag-file ako ng batas para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection,” he added.
Go, as Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to any resident with medical-related concerns and advised them to visit any of the 30 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila through which they may conveniently obtain medical assistance from the government.
The center is a one-stop-shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay zero balance po para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapa-hospital. Batas na po ‘yan, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Para po ‘yan sa poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” he added.
Ending his message, the senator expressed his gratitude to the local officials of each city for supporting the affected families. Go then appealed to the local leaders to continue helping their constituents, especially during these challenging times.
As Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the funding of numerous infrastructure projects in Metro Manila, such as the construction of an advanced Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Vertical Expansion of New ER Building in East Avenue Medical Center, and the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Road Network and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Road Network, all in Quezon City.
Go also supported various projects in Pasig City, such as the improvement of Rizal Medical Center, acquisition of medical equipment for RMC, and the construction of a seven-story multi-specialty building inside RMC.
Likewise, he extended help in the construction of multi-purpose buildings and halls in Caloocan City, Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, and Parañaque City; acquisition of ambulance units in Manila, Navotas City, Parañaque City, Taguig City, and Valenzuela City; acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles in Manila and Muntinlupa City; the rehabilitation of facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College in Navotas; and the construction of a seven-story Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence in Valenzuela.
“Basta kami ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil para sa amin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” Go ended. – bny
