Bong Go helps city fire victims

CEBU, Philippines —  Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office collaborated with the National Housing Authority in delivering government housing assistance to fire victims during an aid distribution activity in Barangay San Roque Gym in Cebu City on Wednesday, September 23.

“Mayroong tulong na ibibigay sa atin ang NHA. Ito ‘yung tinatawag na EHAP na pambili ng housing materials na aming ipinangako sa inyo noon. Programa ito ng national government. Tulong ito para makabili kayo ng housing materials,” the Senator said.

Representatives of the NHA provided financial assistance under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program to families whose houses were partially and totally damaged. The distribution was conducted in strict compliance with health protocols.

“Konting tulong po ito sa ngayon para mas mabilis kayong makabangon muli at magkaroon ng maayos na tirahan. Ako naman bilang Senador, naghain po ako ng mga panukala upang wala nang maging squatter sa sariling bayan. Lahat po ng Pilipino may karapatan magkaroon ng maayos na tirahan,” Go said.

Recognizing the need for every Filipino family to have decent home, Go filed Senate Bill No. 203, also called the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Bill, last July 2019. It seeks to generate and mobilize funds to increase low-cost housing production; provide support mechanisms to improve access to housing options; guarantee the development of a strong, sustainable, accessible and affordable housing finance system; and increase private sector participation, among others.

He also filed last December last year another bill seeking to provide more assistance.  SBN 1227 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act intends to provide families displaced by natural and man-made disasters with improved access to the formal housing market by offering a rental subsidy.

During the distribution in Cebu, Go’s team also extended help to 105 out of 402 families affected by a fire incident that happened on November 3, 2019 in Barangay San Roque.

Affected families were provided with food packs and meals, masks, face shields, vitamins and basic medicines. Bicycles were also given to those who need them most. These fire victims were also previously provided food packs and cash assistance last November 8, 2019 during the Senator's visit.

The Senator also noted that the first Malasakit Center that was opened in the country is at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. Other Malasakit Centers in Cebu province are located at St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City.

“Mayroon tayong Malasakit Centers diyan sa Cebu. At kung kailangan ninyo ng tulong sa operasyon, lumapit lang kayo,” Go said.

“At kung kailangan ninyo ng tulong sa Manila, ako na ang bahala, ako na ang sasalo sa inyo dito. Huwag kayong mahiya na lumapit sa akin dahil trabaho namin (ito) sa inyo,” he added referring to medical operations, such as heart surgeries, if needed by the fire victims.

Last year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development already provided financial assistance to the fire victims through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. The Department of Trade and Industry also provided livelihood assistance on separate occasions held on August 26 and September 4 this year to selected beneficiaries through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Negosyo Kits.

“Hindi po kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito na palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Magbayanihan po tayo upang malampasan ang mga krisis at sakuna na dinaranas natin. Nandito po kami para magserbisyo sa inyo,” he added.

Go reassured the public that he and President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to serve the nation, provide the needs of the Filipinos and address the health crisis at full extent.

“Nandito kami ni Pangulong Duterte, handa kami magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he said.

He further said that as soon as the vaccine arrives, the poor and the vulnerable will be prioritized.

“Ngayon, ‘wag kayong mag-alala, tiis lang tayo ngayon dahil delikado pa ang panahon ngayon. Pero kapag mayroon nang vaccine, uunahin namin ang mahihirap para makabalik na tayo sa normal sa pamumuhay natin,” the Senator reiterated.