Senator Bong Go called for the full implementation of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act as he personally extended assistance to families displaced by a recent fire in Pasay City, emphasizing that disaster survivors deserve safe, permanent evacuation centers instead of makeshift shelters.
“Parati ko pong sinasabi sa mga nasunugan, nalulungkot ako, nasasaktan ako kapag may namamatay sa sunog. Tandaan po natin, kung kailangan magpaospital, ipapadala po natin kayo sa ospital. Ang gamit ay maaaring mapalitan, pero ang buhay ay hindi. Ang importante po ay ligtas kayo, at magtulungan tayo para makabangon muli,” Go said.
“Mahirap pong masunugan, pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa.”
“Nakikidalamhati po ako sa panahon ng inyong kalungkutan. Mahirap pong masunugan, pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa,” the veteran legislator added.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the seasoned lawmaker emphasized that the hardships faced by displaced families go beyond the loss of their homes, noting that temporary shelters often expose evacuees to health risks due to overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to essential healthcare services.
Recognizing the role of community health workers in responding to emergencies, the senator also expressed his gratitude to barangay health workers for their unwavering service.
“Salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo noong panahon ng pandemya, kayo po ang tunay na nagsakripisyo para sa ating mga kababayan. Palakpakan po natin sila,” he said.
Go also reiterated his commitment to personally reaching communities affected by disasters whenever possible.
“Alam ninyo, hindi ko kayang nakaupo lang sa aking opisina habang ang mga kababayan natin ay nangangailangan ng tulong. Bagyo, lindol, pagsabog ng bulkan, sunog—pinupuntahan ko po ‘yan. Parati po akong nandiyan sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he said.
Go stressed that while emergency relief is essential, the government must also invest in permanent infrastructure that protects families before, during, and after disasters.
In line with this, he principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in cities and municipalities nationwide. The law seeks to provide safer temporary shelters equipped with adequate sanitation, healthcare facilities, and other essential services for families displaced by calamities.
“Sana gamitin po ng gobyerno ang pondo sa pagpapatayo ng mga evacuation centers.”
“Batas na po ‘yan na maglalagay ng mga evacuation centers sa mga cities and municipalities para mayroon kayong komportableng mapupuntahan. Sana gamitin po ng gobyerno ang pondo sa pagpapatayo ng mga evacuation centers,” Go said.
Complementing this measure, he also principally authored and co-sponsored RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which aims to strengthen the country’s firefighting capabilities through the acquisition of modern equipment, additional personnel, specialized training, and enhanced fire response systems.
During the activity, assistance was provided to 50 beneficiaries, including 33 residents from Barangay 62, 16 from Barangay 138, and one from Barangay 66.
Through his office, beneficiaries received financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, water containers, pens, balls, and other essential items. Selected recipients also received pairs of shoes, watch and a mobile phone.
Go then thanked Brgy. 61 Captain Fredrick Mesias, Brgy. 138 Captain Olivia Tolentino, and Brgy. 65 Captain Jun Solidum for their efforts in the conduct of the relief initiative.
After the distribution, he also bought taho and sampaguita from a local vendor, encouraging support for small businesses in the community.
Reaffirming his commitment to helping communities affected by fires and other calamities, Go said he would continue pushing for policies that strengthen disaster preparedness while ensuring that no displaced family is left without safe shelter and access to essential services.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he said.
