Senator Bong Go personally visited Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City, to extend support to families affected by two recent fire incidents in the area.
The May 6 fire in Lower Barangay, San Antonio affected 1,070 families, while another fire on May 10 in Sta. Maria Subdivision affected 70 families, bringing the total number of affected families to 1,140.
Addressing the victims, Go expressed his sympathy to the affected families and reminded them to remain hopeful despite the hardship brought by the incidents.
“A lost life is a lost life forever.”
“Ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera, kikitain nyo ‘yan kung magsumikap lang tayo pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” the veteran legislator added.
The relief initiative was conducted in coordination with local officials present during the activity, including Councilor Coach Binky Favis and Barangay San Antonio Barangay Captain Pol Casale.
Through the seasoned lawmaker’s office, affected families received financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, and pens. Select beneficiaries also received shoes, a cellphone, a bicycle, basketballs, and volleyballs.
Beyond the immediate relief effort, the senator reiterated the need to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
He is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality.
Under the law, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) determines priority areas, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undertakes construction, and local government units (LGUs) manage the operations of the evacuation centers.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 173, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience, SBN 415, or the Rental Housing Subsidy bill, and SBN 669, or the Hazard Pay for Disaster Personnel bill.
On fire prevention and response, Go also pointed to RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he principally authored and co-sponsored.
The law mandates the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to implement a modernization program, including the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of manpower, and provision of specialized training for firefighters.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, he also highlighted the importance of accessible medical assistance, particularly for poor and indigent patients affected by emergencies and disasters.
He is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized Malasakit Centers as one-stop shops that help reduce hospital expenses.
“167 Malasakit Centers are established nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos.”
According to the Department of Health (DOH), 167 Malasakit Centers are established nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos. Parañaque City hosts one at Ospital ng Parañaque.
Meanwhile, through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, and LGUs, adequate funding was allocated for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including two in Parañaque City.
“Basta sa buhay natin, ‘wag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Go lang nang go. Ako po, kami po’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po sa Diyos,” he concluded.
