City fire victims get help from Sen. Go

CEBU, Philippines —  Senator Christopher “Bong” Go maintained the need for better and strengthened government fire prevention and response as he had his team assist fire victims in Barangays Guadalupe, Labangon, and Lahug in Cebu City on February 2.

Through a video conference call, Go checked on the situation of the affected families and renewed his call for continued cooperation between the national and local government to efficiently improve fire prevention initiatives in the country.

“Palagi ko pong sinasabi kung gaano kahalaga ang buhay. Alam ko pong mahirap ang masunugan pero mas mahirap po ang mawalan ng buhay. Kaya dapat mas lalo natin palakasin ang mga fire prevention campaigns natin para hindi po palaging nauulit ang mga ganitong sunog,” underscored Go.

The lawmaker was the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589 which provides for the improvement of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s capabilities to efficiently respond to fire-related incidents through a ten-year modernization program.

The modernization program includes acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting more firefighters, and developing specialized training, among others.

“Isa po talaga sa prayoridad ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang palakasin pa lalo ang ating BFP dahil napakahalaga ng papel na ginagampanan nila upang masigurong ligtas ang ating mga kababayan sa anumang sakuna,” said Go.

Held at Ramon Duterte Memorial High School, the team of Go provided grocery packs, vitamins, masks, snacks, and shirts to 118 fire-hit households. The team also gave away shoes, cellular phones, bicycles, umbrellas, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance while the National Housing Authority committed to provide housing aid after conducting assessments.

Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, also offered assistance to those with medical concerns. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City.

After witnessing the struggles of low-income Filipinos in securing medical assistance, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018. The program was later institutionalized under RA 11463, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go.

To date, there are 154 Malasakit Centers that have helped millions of Filipinos nationwide. Other Malasakit Centers in the province are located at Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, Talisay District Hospital, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

Go added that nine Super Health Centers are also planned to be established in the province, including in the cities of Mandaue, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Bogo; and the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco.

Super Health Centers offer basic medical services, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine.

The senator was also instrumental in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11717 which increased the bed capacity of VSMMC from 1,200 to 1,500 beds.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City.

“Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa o kapitbahay ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan talaga ang totoo,” he concluded.

On the same day, Go also aided and checked on the situation of more fire victims in Iloilo City, likewise through a video conference call.