Fire victims get assistance from Bong Go

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has distributed immediate assistance to victims of recent fire incidents in Cebu City.

“Ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nakakabili ng buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante ay buhay tayo kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Senator Go, in a message, told victims of fire incidents in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, as his Malasakit Team provided them aid on Monday, November 4.

The relief initiative was held at the Brgy. Basak San Nicolas Roofdeck, where a total of 189 families received grocery packs, snacks, water gallons, shirts, masks, and vitamins. There were also select recipients of shoes, basketballs, and volleyballs.

Go likewise mentioned Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored. The Act encompasses acquiring new fire equipment, recruiting additional firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other enhancements.

The senator also shared his push for Senate Bill No. 2451, known as the proposed Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he co-sponsored and principally authored in the Senate. This proposed legislation, which passed on the third reading in the Senate, aims to build on Go's earlier Mandatory Evacuation Center bill and underscores the need to establish dedicated evacuation centers in every locality.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged those with health issues to seek the services of Malasakit Center in Cebu City located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and Cebu City Medical Center.

Meanwhile, there are other Malasakit Centers at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The Department of Health reported that the Malasakit Centers program has aided more than 15 million Filipinos.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need. — (FREEMAN)