Go pushes housing subsidies anew for homeless Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has reiterated his call to pass a measure that will provide housing subsidies to families displaced by disasters.

In filing Senate Bill 2393 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, Go urged lawmakers to immediately pass the measure to ensure that the government will be able to assist in the recovery of families affected by calamities or disasters by helping them relocate during the interim process of construction.

“This law will help provide a decent life to the families affected by disaster, especially the poor and informal settler families. I want the support of the legislators because all this is for the good of the Filipinos,” Go said in a video message during relief operations for the victims of recent fire incidents in Caloocan City and Quezon City.

“Expect me to do my part in the Senate to advance all that we want to achieve by passing meaningful and effective laws like this,” he said.

Go’s team conducted distributions of goods at 49 Barangay Hall in Caloocan City and AMLAC Senior High School in Quezon City.

The team provided financial assistance, food packs, masks and meals to 109 families and gave bicycles to select individuals for their use in commuting to work. It also gave computer tablets to help children study better under the blended learning setup.

As part of the national government’s relief measures for individuals affected by crisis situations, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Housing Authority also extended financial support.

Go offered additional help to those suffering injuries or other health concerns to help ensure that the victims’ medical needs are met.

He encouraged them to seek the services of any of the 31 Malasakit Centers located in Metro Manila where they can avail themselves of the medical assistance offered by the government.

The Malasakit Center brings together the offices of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof. The one-stop shop aims to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering patient services and expenses, pursuant to the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.

“I am happy with the opening of the centers one after another. I am confident that this will be a great help to our countrymen, especially to those who have no choice but to rely on the government,” said Go.

“Here you can see the heart of President Duterte for the poor. We started it because we don’t want to make them suffer. It just returns the money and service Filipinos deserve through fast and reliable service from the government that always cares for the people,” he added.

Go thanked Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan, Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for their untiring service to their communities amid the pandemic.