Bong Go visits Pasay fire victims

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go visited on Friday the 48 families who lost their houses to a fire in Pasay City last week, giving them financial support and relief packs.

Go assured the victims of support as they strive to rebuild their homes, citing the National Housing Authority’s emergency housing assistance program, which provides grants they could use to buy nails, roofs and other housing needs.

“Please don’t lose hope. As I have always said, material things can be replaced and money can be earned but a life lost is gone forever. We have to take care of our lives,” Go said.

Go, who was accompanied by Rep. Antonio Calixto, Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and Vice Mayor Ding Del Rosario, distributed relief items to 48 affected households.

The beneficiaries received grocery packs, meals, shirts, vitamins, basketballs and volleyballs. Shoes, bicycle, watch and mobile phone were also given to some selected people during the outreach program at Jose Rizal Elementary School.

“We only live in this world once. So, whatever good deed and assistance we could give to our fellowmen, we should do now because we might not pass this way again,” the senator said.

Go’s visit to Pasay City reaffirms his dedication to serving Filipinos, especially those affected by disasters, and his steadfast commitment to empowering local governments in responding to their communities’ needs.

He lauded Pasay City’s quick response to address the needs of its constituents during calamities, as he highlighted his proposed Senate Bill 192, which seeks to institutionalize a rental housing subsidy program to provide disaster victims access to affordable temporary housing while rebuilding their homes.