In cities of Cebu, Mandaue: Bong Go sends aid to fire victims

CEBU, Philippines —  The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has extended assistance to the residents of Barangay Tabok in Mandaue City after a fire swept through the area on April 18.

“Sa mga kababayan ko dyan sa Cebu, sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam namin na napakahirap ng panahon ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari pero kapit po tayo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito. Malalampasan din natin itong krisis na ito kung magtutulungan at magbabayanihan tayo,” Go encouraged in a video call.

A total of 113 families, composed of 333 individuals, were provided financial assistance, meals, a food pack, vitamins, masks, and face shields during an activity conducted on Friday, May 14.

The activity was conducted in small batches and under strict observation of the government-issued health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Selected beneficiaries were given new shoes while others received bicycles so they can access locations with ease. Others were provided computer tablets so their children can better participate in the educational activities schools are carrying out under the blended learning set-up.

Other agencies also extended other forms of aid as part of the national government's response to the said incident. Aid workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided each family with separate financial assistance.

Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority committed to provide further aid upon completing their assessments of the beneficiaries’ needs.

Go recognized the efforts of the local government to help rebuild the affected communities and restore peoples’ livelihoods. He specifically thanked Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede.

“Huwag sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandirito ang iba't ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para tulungan kayo na makabangon muli. Lapitan niyo lang ako kung may iba pa kaming maitutulong. Gagawin namin ni Pangulo Duterte ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” pledged the Senator.

Go has supported the funding of several infrastructure development initiatives in Mandaue City, such as the construction of a seven-storey hospital main building for Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital.

On the same day, Go also extended similar assistance to 557 fire victims in Barangay Basak, San Nicolas in Cebu City.

“During my visits to Cebu, I always emphasized my high respects to the Visayan people. Like President Duterte, I am proud of my Visayan heritage and I will do everything I can to serve them as a public servant and representative in the Senate. I frequently visit Cebu to personally see to the needs of our fellow Cebuanos and find ways on how to better help and serve them,” Go assured Cebuanos.

Go emphasized that his efforts to support and protect the welfare of Cebuanos will always be a priority as he works with their local leaders in improving the lives of fellow Bisaya communities.

“Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito. Mahal po namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte. Mahal namin ang mga kapwa naming Bisaya. Bisaya pud ko ug garbo nako akong pagka-Bisaya,” Go reiterated.

Housing Program

To provide more support through interventions for Filipinos who lost their houses due to fires and natural disasters, Go said in a video message that he will continue to push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 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 is the vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.

The bill, which he filed in 2019, aims to accelerate housing production by ensuring reliable government funding and financing in the long-term.

Meanwhile, the Senator informed those who cannot afford medical care that they may conveniently apply for government assistance at any of the nearest Malasakit Centers located in Eversley Childs Sanitarium & General Hospital in Mandaue City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City, Talisay City District Hospital, and Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital.

The Malasakit Center brings together the offices of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof to provide government financial and medical assistance to patients. There are currently 111 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Moreover, Go said that he is thankful for the service and support that the Visayan people have extended to this administration and to the rest of the country.

“We laud them for augmenting our medical frontliners in NCR during this present pandemic. I salute the courage, selfless compassion and bayanihan spirit of my fellow Bisaya and I vow to do my best to give them the best service they deserve,” he said.

"Mga kaigsuonan, mga Bisaya, daghang salamat sa inyong tabang sa amoa ni Presidente Duterte. Kami pud, mga Bisaya man pud mi, utang kabubut-on, dili kalimtan. Ug timan-i ninyo, mga Bisaya, pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," he finally said. — PR, GMR (FREEMAN)