Senator-elect Bong Go rushed to visit and provide assistance to the individuals and families affected by the fire in Bacolod City as his own way to celebrate Father’s Day.
As Go visited those affected by the fire, he promised to treat the children together with their fathers to a small celebration for Father’s Day.
“Binabati ko ang lahat ng ama ng tahanan. Ito ‘yung araw na sinasabi ko na sana makabawi naman tayo sa ating mga ama o mga anak. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko sa mga nasunugan dito, ipasyal niyo po ang inyong mga anak at bilang isa ring ama, sagot ko na ang pagtreat sa kanila,” the former presidential aide said.
On June 10, 2019, a fire started in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2 in Bacolod City that affected around 1,200 individuals.
He shared his commitment to help the victims as he brought with him the assistance of various government agencies and private entities.
“Mayroon po ako dalang tulong mula sa pribadong sektor, cash assistance at saka grocery. At ang pinakaimportante dito, kasama natin ang mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno noon katulad ng DSWD, DOH, PAGCOR, PCSO, NHA, PCUP para tumulong sa inyo. Nandito rin ang DTI para magbigay ng livelihood sa inyo at ang local government para tumulong sa inyong agarang pagbangon,” Go said.
He also provided school supplies and uniforms donated by private individuals for the students affected by fire for them to be able to go back to school as soon as possible.
Apart from providing help to fire survivors, Go joined TODA drivers and operators in a boodle fight as a celebration of Father’s Day. He ate home-cooked food with them, traded stories, and expressed solidarity with them in trying to earn a decent living to provide a better future for their families.
“Ipagpapatuloy at papalakasin natin ang laban upang matigil ang korapsyon, kriminalidad at iligal na droga sa bansa. Bilang mga ama, nais natin maprotektahan ang ating mga pamilya at mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga anak,” he said.
Throughout his visits to families who became homeless due to fire incidents, Go also coordinates with the NHA to provide victims with an opportunity to avail housing assistance, and to facilitate payment terms that will unburden and allow them to recover from the tragedy.
“Kakausapin natin NHA para yung mga kwalipikadong makakuha ng housing assistance ay hindi muna pababayarin sa unang taon ng kanilang amortization. Ito ay para matulungan natin silang makabangon agad,” he said.
Go added that he will push for measures to address problems of informal settlers and provide affordable houses for all especially the poor and the homeless.
“I will push for measures to address problems of informal settlers.”
“Kailangan din nating mas lalong pagbutihin ang ating mga programa para sa mga nangangailangan ng mura at disenteng bahay. We need a long-term affordable housing program,” he said.
Go stressed that forms of housing intervention nationwide should be pursued so that each Filipino family will have a house if their own.
“Isa sa gusto kong isulong ang magkaroon ng long-term housing roadmap o plano upang matugunan natin ang 6.5-milyong kakulangan sa pabahay sa susunod na mga taon. Wala na dapat squatter sa sariling bayan,” he said.
“There shouldn’t be squatters in our own country.”
Go is also eyeing to review fire safety and prevention measures through more intense fire prevention awareness drive, particularly in areas that are considered fire prone.
“Isusulong ko rin po ang mas mabisang fire prevention measures para maturuan ang mga Pilipino para maiwasan itong mga ganitong pangyayari,” he said.
Go, likewise, aims to provide fast and affordable medical assistance especially to those who are in need of better healthcare support from government.
“Pangako ko sa inyo, kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon, pupuntahan ko kayo. Kasi alam ko na ito ‘yung mga panahon na kailangan niyo ng tulong mula sa gobyerno,” he said.
One of the top priorities of Go is to improve medical services in the country through the Malasakit Center.
“Nakafocus din po ako sa health. Isa po yan sa aking pangako na ma-improve ang medical services sa bansa. Gamitin ang pera ng tao sa tama,” he stated.
The Malasakit Center is a continuing program of the administration seeking to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail medical and financial assistance from the government through joint coordination of agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and PhilHealth.
By the end of his speech, Go shared an important message in front of the public, stating, “Alam niyo po minsan lang tayo daraan sa mundong ito, kaya kung ano man pong tulong ang kaya natin ibigay sa ating kapwa, ibigay na natin. Para sa akin ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.”
Go also made a short and sweet Father’s Day greeting to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Binabati ko rin po si Pangulong Duterte bilang inyong ama na tunay na nagmamahal sa inyo. Ako naman, ako po, ang inyong Kuya Bong Go ay isa rin po akong ama, mahal namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte at tinuturing po namin kayo na mga anak at kapatid. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin kundi paglingkuran kayo,” he said.