Go aids Bulacan fire victims

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go visited Sitio Bukid in Barangay Tabing Ilog, Marilao, Bulacan  on Tuesday to assist and check on victims of a fire that occurred on Jan. 14.

Go’s team distributed packed meals, food packs and financial assistance to 195 families composed of 736 individuals. They also gave vitamins, face masks and face shields.

Selected beneficiaries were given shoes while others received bicycles for their daily work commute amid limited public transportation options. Others were given tablets to help their children study and access educational materials at home under the blended learning approach.

As chairman of the Senate committee on health, Go vowed to assist indigent residents of medical treatment and services.

He said they could avail themselves of medical assistance through the Malasakit Center at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria town.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which houses desk representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go had principally authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

“Kapag meron ng safe na vaccine na nabili ng gobyerno, on-going naman ang pagbibili nito, uunahin namin ni Pangulo Duterte ang lahat ng mahihirap. Uunahin namin ‘yung mga ‘isang kahig, isang tuka’. Uunahin namin kayo dito,” vowed the Senator.

As part of national government’s intervention measures for those in distress, representatives from the DSWD were also at the activity to separately provide the beneficiaries with financial assistance to help them pay for food, shelter and utilities, among others. The Department of Agriculture also distributed vegetables and canned goods to help feed the community.

The Department of Trade and Industry and National Housing Authority committed to provide additional aid upon completing their assessments of the beneficiaries.

The Senator went on to recognize and thank Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Vice Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Mayor Ricardo M. Silvestre, Vice Mayor Henry R. Lutao, Punong Barangay Jesus Tabor, and other local officials for their untiring service to their communities.

“Sa atin pong pinagpipitagan at palaging hindi nakakalimot sa bayan ng Marilao, taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat para sa bayan sa inyo, Senator Bong Go. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Kahit bumabaha ditto, andito kayo, nasunugan, andito kayo. Kayo ang tamang tao na nalagay sa Senado,” said Mayor Silvestre.

“Pinararating din namin sa ating Pangulo sapagkat napakabuti po niya, sa pamamagitan niyo (Senador), nagpapasalamat kami sa kanya,” he continued. Earlier in the day, the Senator also led the distribution of aid for 1,273 public market and kiosk vendors in the town of Plaridel. A similar distribution of aid was held in Obando last January 12 for 500 beneficiaries composed of fire victims and tricycle and padyak drivers. All activities were carried out in strict compliance with the government-issued health and safety protocols.