TWO weeks after the fire incident that hit a large portion of the Baguio City Public Market, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Robinhood Padilla personally visited, checked on the situation of the affected market vendors, and helped them get back on their feet as the senators led a relief operation for the victims on Saturday.

Held at the Baguio Central School, the senators distributed canned goods, snacks, masks, vitamins, and shirts to 1,415 affected households.

They also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, bags, and balls for basketball to select beneficiaries.

In addition, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance while the Department of Trade and Industry evaluated each beneficiary and provided livelihood assistance to qualified individuals.

In his speech, Go emphasized that together with local government officials of Baguio City, led by Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong and Vice Mayor Faustino Olawan, they will continue to exert great efforts to hasten the community’s recovery.

“Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang po sa opisina habang yung mga kababayan natin ay naghihirap at nangangailangan ng tulong.

Pupuntahan ko ho kayo kahit saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon. Kaya umaapela ako sa aking mga kapwa lingkod-bayan na tulungan natin ang mga kababayan nating mga helpless, mga hopeless, at mga pinakanangangailangan,” he said.

In observance of Fire Prevention Month this March, Go also stressed that there is a need to consistently strengthen fire prevention and preparedness efforts down to the communities. Go had earlier primarily authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021.

The law seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of BFP as it mandates a ten-year modernization program for the agency, which includes purchasing modern firefighting equipment, recruiting more firefighters, and developing specialized training, among others.

“Sa pag-iikot ko ng bansa para makatulong sa mga nasunugan, nakita ko po talaga ang importansya ng pagpapalakas ng ating fire prevention campaigns. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pag-apruba ng BFP Modernization Act para mas lalo pang lumakas ang kapasidad ng ahensya,” said Go.

Continuing his message, Go offered to help those in need of medical care. As head of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, he also advised the residents to seek the services of any of the 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including the one at Baguio General Hospital, which he and Padilla personally inspected earlier that day.

The public may also visit the nearby Malasakit Center at Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad to ease the burden of paying their medical bills.

On the same day, Go and Padilla also provided assistance to indigents in Barangay Bakekang Central in Baguio City.