Senator Bong Go personally visited Barangay 264 in Tondo, Manila to check on and comfort families affected by a recent fire incident.
During the visit, Go was joined by Barangay Chairman Teresita Sta. Maria Yambao and the barangay kagawads as he personally met with residents, listened to their concerns, and extended assistance to help them recover.
A total of 555 families benefited from the relief effort.
The veteran legislator personally provided financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, balls, shirts, and other essential items as additional support for the affected residents as they begin again after the fire. Select beneficiaries also received a bicycle, cellphone, shoes, and a watch.
The seasoned lawmaker emphasized the importance of fire prevention and safety awareness, reminding residents that while belongings may be replaced, every life lost to fire is gone forever.
“Ang pera, hindi nabibili ang buhay.”
“Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat, sa mga kababayan ko. Tandaan natin, huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Ang damit nalalabhan, di ba? Ang gamit, nabibili, di ba? Ang pera, kikitain. Pero ang pera, hindi nabibili ang buhay,” the senator said.
For him, showing up in communities hit by disasters is part of ensuring that affected families feel they are not alone in the difficult days after a tragedy.
Go also thanked residents for their trust and assured them that he would continue working for Filipinos, even on a Sunday.
“Kahit Linggo magtatrabaho ako para sa inyo dahil paboritong araw ko rin ang Linggo.”
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong tiwalang binigay po sa akin. Hindi ko sasayangin ‘yan. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino kahit Linggo ngayong araw na ito. Mula sa probinsya, takbo kaagad ako rito. Eh alam n’yo ba, kahit Linggo magtatrabaho ako para sa inyo dahil paboritong araw ko rin ang Linggo,” he said during the visit.
Go also expressed his continued support for barangay officials who are often the first to respond when disasters affect their communities.
“Full support po ako sa ating mga barangay officials. Parati ko kayong ipaglalaban,” he said.
Go assured the affected residents that his office remains open to them and that he will continue to help in whatever way he can.
“Mga kababayan ko, meron lang po akong dala na konting tulong sa inyo. Kanina may lumapit sa akin, humihingi ng tulong. Ang sabi ko, kung ano man ang tulong na maibibigay ko, tutulong po ako lalo na para sa mga nangangailangan,” he expressed.
As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also reminded residents that medical assistance remains available to Filipinos in need, particularly those still recovering from disasters and other hardships.
“Napakahalaga po sa akin ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Ang Malasakit Center ay para sa Pilipino, para sa inyo po ‘yan. Karapatan po ‘yan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 167 Malasakit Centers are functioning nationwide, which have aided more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
In Manila alone, these centers are already operational in five major government hospitals: Tondo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and San Lazaro Hospital.
Along with his health-related initiatives, Go continues to push for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response systems.
He is the principal author and co-sponsor of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient, and fully equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality.
Complementing this measure is RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021, which Go also principally authored and co-sponsored. He cited the law as instrumental in improving the capability of fire personnel to respond to emergencies.
As the affected families continue to recover, Go assured them that his service will continue beyond the distribution of assistance, especially for communities facing hardship, calamity, and urgent needs.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.
