SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Office spearheaded a distribution activity to provide assistance to recovering fire victims in Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental on Monday, July 31, as part of his commitment to help disaster-affected communities rebuild their homes and their lives.

The relief activity was held at the Cateel municipal covered court in coordination with the National Housing Authority (NHA). The team distributed snacks, shirts, vitamins, and masks to 70 fire victims while there were also select recipients of shoes, cellular phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

“Mahirap po ang mawalan ng tirahan, halos araw-araw akong umiikot sa buong Pilipinas para puntahan ang ating mga kababayan na nasunugan, nabagyuhan, baha, lindol, pagputok ng bulkan, o anumang sakuna at magbigay ng tulong,” said Go in a video message.

“Alam niyo po, para sa akin ang importante po ay buhay po tayo, nandirito lang po ako at ang aking tanggapan para magbigay ng tulong sa abot ng aking makakaya at makapagbigay ng ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he continued.

NHA also provided housing assistance to each affected family through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).

“Isinulong din natin na mabigyan sila ng National Housing Authority ng ayuda pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa upang maisaayos muli ang kanilang mga tirahan,” Go highlighted.

“Itong EHAP program, isinulong ko ito noon at patuloy na sinusuportahang mapondohan ang programa ngayon upang mas marami pang mga biktima ng sakuna ang makapagpatayo ng maayos na bahay at makabangon muli mula sa trahedya,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. The law, which was authored and co-sponsored by Go, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection through a ten-year modernization program, which includes the recruitment of more firefighters, acquisition of new fire equipment, and specialized training.

“Alam ko pong mahirap ang masunugan pero magtiwala lang po kayo sa gobyerno at tayo po ay makakaahon muli. Ang importante ay walang nasaktan. Ang pera ay kikitain naman po natin yan pero ang buhay ay hindi nabibili ng pera. A lost life is a lost life forever kaya mag-ingat tayo,” said Go.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged individuals with health concerns to visit Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City for assistance with their medical-related expenses.

The Malasakit Center is a convenient one-stop shop that brings together relevant agencies to provide medical aid to poor and indigent Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act, which has successfully assisted over seven million Filipinos through its 158 operational centers nationwide.

Go also expressed his support for the construction of Super Health Centers (SHCs) in rural communities across the country, in collaboration with the Department of Health.

These centers are designed to offer a wide range of basic health services, database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has been a staunch supporter of various initiatives in the province. These include the rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, installation of solar LED lights along the national road in Brgy. Bagumbayan, construction of potable water systems in Brgy. Bagumbayan, establishment of a flood mitigation structure along Sumlog River, and the construction of the IP Community Learning Center in Brgy. Don Mariano.

Fire victims in Baganga who were likewise aided by NHA’s emergency housing assistance also received additional support from Go’s office last July 19.