Metro Manila fire victims receive aid from Bong Go
THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to families whose houses were razed by separate fire incidents in Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City on April 29, and in 19-P Concepcion, Tugatog, Malabon City on April 30.
To provide more support and interventions to Filipinos who lose their houses to fires and natural disasters, Go told the victims in a video message that he will continue to push for the passage of Senate Bill 203 or the ‘National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act’.
“Marami na akong napuntahang mga nasunugan at nawalan ng tirahan. Kailangan natin silang tulungang makabangon muli through low-cost housing programs, kasama na riyan ang housing assistance for fire victims at construction ng safe at permanent na evacuation centers,” explained Go who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing.
The bill, which he filed in 2019, aims to accelerate housing production by ensuring reliable government funding and financing in the long-term.
Meanwhile, Go’s team organized relief activities for the fire victims on Wednesday, May 5. They distributed financial assistance, meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 181 families gathered in small batches while ensuring necessary health and safety protocols are in place.
Selected beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes while others got bicycles, an alternative and convenient mode of transportation amid the pandemic. Others were provided computer tablets for their children to use for their classes under the blended learning set-up.
Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also handed out financial assistance to each beneficiary family as part of an ongoing effort of the government to assist those in crisis situations. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the National Housing Authority assessed those who are eligible for their various programs.
To ensure their health and well-being, Go also offered to assist any beneficiary in need of medical attention and advised them to avail medical assistance from the government at their nearest Malasakit Center.
The center is a one-stop shop, initiated by Go and now institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Presently, a Malasakit Center is fully functional at the Ospital ng Malabon to serve the residents in the area. There are also six Malasakit Centers 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, and East Avenue Medical Center.
The Senator went on to recognize the local officials in Malabon City, led by Representative Jaye Lacson-Noel, Mayor Lenlen Oreta, and Vice Mayor Ninong dela Cruz, who extended their full cooperation and assistance to the families.
Likewise, Go also commended the efforts of local officials in Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City, led by Captain Noel Vitug, for their continuing service to their constituents amid the pandemic.
“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.
Earlier, Go’s team also organized relief activities in Barangay Bayanan, Muntinlupa; Bgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City; and Brgy. Olympia, Makati City from April 28 to 30, to assist fire-hit communities.
