SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go assured communities that plans are in place to strengthen the country’s fire protection services. Go hailed the enactment of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act which will provide for the implementation of a multi-year program to modernize the BFP’s facilities and capabilities.

The measure was authored and co-sponsored by the Senator and signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte last September 10.

“Sa batas na ito, magha-hire tayo ng mas maraming firefighters at magbibigay ng dagdag na specialized trainings sa lahat ng personnel ng BFP. Bibili rin tayo ng mga modernong kagamitan at fire trucks upang mas maging epektibo ang BFP sa pag-apula ng sunog,” explained Go.

“Magkakaroon din ng rescue hotlines sa bawat (local government unit) para mas mabilis na maka-responde ang mga firefighters. Para naman mabawasan ang mga insidente ng sunog ay magkakaroon tayo ng fire prevention campaigns and information drives buwan-buwan, lalo na sa mga informal settlement areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go’s team provided immediate aid to a total of 36 families victimized by various fire incidents in Makati, Marikina and Valenzuela. They extended financial assistance, food packs, meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to the beneficiaries on Monday, September 27.

The activities were carried out at the Palm Village Covered Court in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City; Purok 6 multi-purpose building in Brgy. Malanday, Marikina City; and the General Tiburcio de Leon barangay hall in Valenzuela City. Necessary health protocols were in place to protect the residents from the threats of COVID-19.

Selected recipients were given new pairs of shoes while some were provided bicycles for travelling. Others received computer tablets to help their children stay on track with their blended learning activities.

In addition, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out separate financial assistance to further alleviate the needs of those impacted. The Department of Trade and Industry and the National Housing Authority also conducted assessments for their emergency housing and livelihood assistance programs, respectively.

“Nangyari ‘yung sunog September 17 at around 4 p.m. Nung time na ‘yun andun ‘yung mama at kapatid ko sa bahay. Nag-shut down ‘yung electricity kaya humingi kami ng assistance sa village maintenance. Una, hindi nila mahanap ‘yung problema tapos biglang may naamoy nalang sila na sunog at may lumabas na usok sa isang kwarto. Dahil luma na ang bahay, mabilis kumalat ang sunog at mga seven na bahay ang nadamay,” recalled Madge Lejano, a resident of Makati City.

“Iyung suot na damit nila ‘yung nasagip lang nila. Ang dami naming tulong na natanggap mula sa DSWD. Maliit man o malaking tulong, sobrang laking tulong nito sa amin ngayon kasi wala talaga kaming na i-save. Maraming salamat sa lahat at hindi namin aakalain na makakatanggap kami ng ganitong tulong kaagad,” she continued.

To ensure the wellbeing of the families, the Senator also offered to help cover the expenses of those needing medical care due to fire-related injuries or other health concerns. He advised the beneficiaries to avail of further assistance from the government at any of the 26 Malasakit Centers located in Metro Manila.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act, which Go primarily authored and sponsored and was later signed into law by President Duterte in December 2019.

“Our goal is to make life comfortable for Filipinos. Ngayon, naisabatas na natin ang Malasakit Center nasa loob na ng ospital ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para maging zero balance ang billing ng mga pasyente. Para ito sa mga poor at indigent para wala na silang babayaran,” said Go.

On this note, Go recognized and thanked the various government officials who provided support to the affected families. They included Gen. T. de Leon Punong Barangay Alfren Caiña, Guadalupe Viejo Punong Barangay Heinrich Angeles, and Malanday Punong Barangay Mark Alfonso.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many initiatives to improve the infrastructure and delivery of public services in Metro Manila. Among these were the acquisition of new medical equipment for the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City and the construction of the Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence and provision of ambulances for the city government of Valenzuela.

On Friday, September 24, Go’s team also provided emergency assistance to the families affected by a fire incident in Barangays Holy Spirit, Manreza, and Gulod in Quezon City and Brgy. Santa Lucia in Pasig City. Each activity was held in small batches to ensure the necessary health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were observed.