Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team on Saturday, April 24, provided emergency assistance to the residents of Lopez Village in Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City after a major fire broke out in the community last Monday afternoon, April 19.
“Mga kababayan, magtulungan tayo. Ang gamit nabibili natin ‘yan, marami pong tutulong sa inyo. Ang pera kikitain natin, subalit ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. Kaya mag-ingat at pangalagaan natin ang buhay ng ating kapwa Pilipino. Sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno dahil bawat may nasusunog na bahay, damay ang kapitbahay,” Go reminded in a video message.
A total of 96 families were given financial assistance, meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields at an open-air venue. To further ensure their health and safety, the families were divided into batches while also observing the government-issued protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Selected beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles so they can commute with ease. Some were given computer tablets to help their children participate in the classes being carried out under the blended learning approach.
As part of an ongoing government effort to assist communities recovering from crisis situations, personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Housing Authority were likewise present to assess potential beneficiaries under their respective programs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture sent supplies of assorted vegetables. The Department of Health also gave away medicine packs and additional vitamins.
As vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order, Go continues to push for the improved preparedness and response capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection to also minimize the risk of similar accidents in the future.
Senate Bill No. 1832, a bill he authored and co-sponsored, directs the BFP to implement a modernization program to facilitate the acquisition of new equipment, provision of specialized training, and hiring of more firefighters. It will also establish Fire Protection Services and rescue hotlines as well as mandate monthly fire prevention information drives in every local government unit.
SBN 1832 was passed on the third and final reading by the Senate last March 8.
“Gusto kong malaman niyo na nag-file tayo ng fire modernization bill sa Senado. Napakaimportante nitong monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives, lalung-lalo na sa mga informal settlements kung saan dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. Alalahanin po natin ang ating mga kapitbahay, lalo na ang ating mga kasamahan sa bahay,” urged Go.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he also offered to help beneficiaries in need of medical care and encouraged them to seek further aid at the Malasakit Center located at the Ospital ng Parañaque.
The center is a one-stop shop which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Go went on to encourage residents to help bring down the number of COVID-19 cases by strictly adhering to the government protocols. He reassured that authorities are monitoring the situation while working hard to procure sufficient vaccines for Filipinos, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“Sa ngayon, pinag-aaralan pa ng gobyerno kung patuloy pang magiging modified enhanced community quarantine ang National Capital Region plus. Kabutihan ng karamihan ang parating inuunang konsiderasyon ng ating gobyerno,” explained Go.
“Habang patuloy ang ating pagbabakuna, ‘wag tayong maging kumpyansa. Dapat sama-sama tayong magtulungan para pababain ang numero dito sa COVID-19. Napatunayan naman na kapag nagsuot tayo ng mask at face shield, maiiwasan mo ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 ng nobenta porsyento,” he continued.
The Senator expressed gratitude to the local officials for their efforts to support the needs of the affected residents. He specifically thanked 1st District Representative Eric Olivarez, 2nd District Rep. Joy Tambunting, Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Vice Mayor Rico Golez, Punong Barangay Noel Japlos, and Kagawad Obey Austria.
“Ulitin ko, magtulungan tayo, mga kababayan ko, para malampasan natin itong krisis na ito. Kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, handa kaming magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Kailangan lang namin ang kooperasyon ng bawat tao at disiplina ng mamamayang Pilipino,” said Go.
