SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go visited Orion, Bataan, where he joined a team from the National Housing Authority to attend the turnover of housing units to fire victims at 1Bataan Village Phase 1 in Brgy. Daang Pare.

Go previously visited and personally provided assistance to the said victims of a fire incident back in 2019.

“Ilan sa mga benepisyaryo ng pabahay na ito ay mga biktima ng sunog na nauna nang natulungan ng aking opisina noong taong 2019. Binalikan natin sila ngayon upang kamustahin at nakakatuwa naman na ang ilan sa kanila ay may sariling maayos na tirahan na,” Go said.

In his speech, the senator commended the local government of Orion, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development headed by Secretary Jerry Acuzar, and the National Housing Authority for their collective efforts of allocating housing units to a total of 216 beneficiaries who lost their homes.

“Ito na ho ‘yung pagkakataon ninyo na makapagserbisyo sa bayan… yung iiwan n’yo pong tulong, ‘yung legasiya sa mga mahihirap po ay hindi po malilimutan ng ating mga kababayan,” said Go to fellow officials.

“Hindi lang po dito sa Bataan kung hindi sa buong bansa. Unahin n’yo po ‘yung mga mahihirap. Susuporta po ako doon sa programang Pambansang Pabahay,” he added.

To address the need for quality yet affordable housing nationwide, Go renewed his call for the passage of his proposed measures, Senate Bill Nos. 192 and 426.

SBN 192, otherwise known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Program, aims to provide adequate, sustainable and habitable shelter for Filipinos affected by disasters and other crisis situations.

Under the proposed measure, a housing and social protection program will also be developed to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies provided by the government.

On the other hand, SBN 426 or the proposed National Housing Development, Production and Financing (NHDPF) Program seeks to increase housing production by forging partnerships among relevant stakeholders to address the social housing demands of Filipino families.

As proposed, the bill shall generate and mobilize funds to guarantee the development of a sustainable, accessible, and affordable housing financing system for the country’s informal settlers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and its attached key shelter agencies, shall intensify the implementation of the vital components of the NHDPF program.

“Medyo ambitious itong bills na ito pero sana pagdating ng panahon, sana magkaroon ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng sariling bahay ang bawat isa o bawat Pilipino lalo na ang mga mahihirap.

Sila ang unahin natin,” Go previously expressed.

“Hangarin natin na wala nang maging squatter sa sarili nilang bayan,” he added.

Following the activity, Go also had the chance to inspect one of the housing units.

During the inspection, Go said that the government can accomplish many things for its people, especially the poor, if it works as a united unit.

“Importante komportable po ang mga pamilya. Importante makapagpahinga sila. Meron silang kainan, comfort room. Nakakatuwa after three years after masunugan sila, sa pagsisikap ng ating opisyales headed by Governor Joet (Garcia), Congressman Abet Garcia and of course ang ating developer,” said Go.