
Bong Go provides assistance to Puerto Princesa fire victims
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go sent aid to fire victims of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Sunday, July 17, as he continues to push for more measures to improve the country’s fire-fighting capabilities.
“Alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon dahil nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Mayroon pang nasunugan at namatayan. Kaya lubos po akong nakikiramay sa inyo,” began Go in his video message.
“Parati tayong mag-ingat. Maganda na naisabatas na ang na-file kong bill sa Senado upang ma-modernize ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection. Magdadagdag tayo ng mga bagong gamit at firefighters. Kailangan din na kada buwan ang fire prevention campaigns at information drives. Napakaimportante nito dahil kada isang bahay na masusunog, damay ang mga kapitbahay,” he continued.
Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589 which provides for the implementation of a ten-year BFP modernization program.
The program includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of the BFP’s human resources, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others.
Signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte last year, the law also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, particularly in informal settlements and economically depressed areas.
The senator’s staff distributed meals and food packs to a total of 16 families at the barangay hall of Brgy. San Pedro. Moreover, his staff provided a select individual a bicycle for easier commute while public transportation remains limited.
As part of the ongoing government efforts to assist those in distress, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended assistance to qualified beneficiaries.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go strongly reminded the public to bring their health concerns to the attention of appropriate medical providers. He offered to help the sick and elderly and advised them to avail of support from the government through the nearest Malasakit Centers.
The center is a one-stop shop which provides particularly poor and indigent patients convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Mayroon na tayong Malasakit Centers mula Aparri hanggang sa Jolo. Tutulungan kayo nito hanggang maging ‘zero balance’ ang billing niyo para wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital. Batas ito na isinulong ko at pinirmahan ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” explained Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
There are now 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including those located at the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital in Culion, Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City and Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point. The program has assisted more than three million patients nationwide.
With COVID-19 still posing a serious threat to communities, Go also appealed to the eligible public to get vaccinated or boosted.
“Nakikiusap kami sa inyo, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna. Libre naman ito at pinaghirapan ng gobyerno kaya ‘wag niyong sasayangin ang pagkakataon na maging bakunado kayo,” said Go.
Concluding his message, the senator thanked the local officials for their efforts to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on their constituents.
Go has also supported several initiatives to support the economic recovery and boost infrastructure development in Palawan. Among these are the construction of a seawall and river flood control structure in Narra and construction of a multipurpose building in Roxas.
In July 2020, Go was declared an “adopted son of Puerto Princesa” by the City Council in recognition of his efforts to assist residents impacted by previous calamities.