THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to 87 families around Metro Manila whose houses were razed by separate fire incidents in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City on June 4; Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City on June 5; and Brgy. 194 Zone 20, Pasay City on June 7.

The senator’s staff provided each family with financial assistance, food packs, and meals on June 8, Tuesday. They also gave vitamins, masks, and face shields, so the members can stay healthy while complying with the required health and safety protocols to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

In a video message to the victims, Go offered to assist beneficiaries in need of medical care and assured them that public service delivery, especially when it comes to health related assistance, remains unhampered amid the ongoing pandemic.

He then reminded residents that they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the nearest Malasakit Center. Presently, there are 118 Malasakit Centers nationwide, with 23 located in Metro Manila.

Eight Malasakit Centers have been established in Quezon City located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, and the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

In Pasay City, a Malasakit Center is fully functional at the Pasay City General Hospital, while residents of Muntinlupa City may seek assistance at the Malasakit Center in the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The center is a one-stop shop, initiated by Go and now institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate, that provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Meanwhile, during the aid activities, selected beneficiaries who are facing difficulties in their daily commute received bicycles. Others were provided computer tablets to help their children with their educational activities under the blended learning set-up.

Personnel from the DSWD also handed out financial assistance to each family as part of an ongoing effort by the government to assist those in crisis situations. The Department of Trade and Industry and National Housing Authority assessed those who are eligible for their livelihood and housing programs, respectively.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order, Go continues to push for the improved preparedness and response capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection to also minimize the risk of similar accidents in the future.

“To better protect Filipinos, we need to further strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection by improving its services and capabilities so that it can efficiently and effectively respond to incidents and other catastrophes,” he explained.

Senate Bill No. 1832, a bill he authored and co-sponsored, directs the BFP to implement a modernization program to facilitate the acquisition of new equipment, provision of specialized training, and hiring of more firefighters. It will also establish rescue hotlines as well as mandate monthly fire prevention information drives in every local government unit.

Ending his message, the Senator expressed his gratitude to the local officials for spearheading the recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the affected communities.

“Kami naman po ni Pangulong Duterte ay handang magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magtiwala lang tayo sa gobyerno, magtulungan lang tayo,” said Go.

“Alam ko po na hirap kayo. Hirap din po kami ni Pangulong Duterte. Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin para po makapagserbisyo po kami upang malampasan natin itong pandemyang ito,” he ended.