PASAY CITY, July 2 -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go personally met with the residents affected by a fire in Navotas City on Thursday, July 1, as he expressed the government's full commitment to helping them recover from the dual challenges of the tragedy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Nakakawala ng pagod kahit 24/7 ako magtrabaho tuwing nakikita ko kayo. Kung kaya naman ng aking katawan, kami na ang lalapit sa inyo. Ang gobyerno dapat ang lumalapit sa inyo," began Go.

"Huwag kayo mag-alala dahil hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Alam namin marami dito ang walang matakbuhan kundi gobyerno lamang. Sa totoo lang, ang mga mahihirap naman ang talagang nangangailangan ng tulong ng gobyerno at hindi ang mga mayayaman," he added, emphasizing that the Duterte administration will always prioritize the welfare of poor and vulnerable sectors who need government attention the most.

The Senator and his staff handed out meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 700 residents or 190 families. The activity was carried out in batches at the San Rafael High School in strict compliance with the government-issued health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Selected beneficiaries were given bicycles while others received new pairs of shoes. Go also provided computer tablets to some for their children's educational use.

"Mga kabataan, mag-aral kayo ng mabuti. Sasaya ang mga magulang niyo 'pag nakapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral. Bagamat distance learning tayo ngayon, ang importante safe kayo. Hindi natin kailangan magmadali mag-resume ng face-to-face classes dahil ang bawat positibo sa classroom ay malaking trabaho nanaman sa contact-tracing," continued Go.

"Mayroon ring hiwalay na tulong na mula sa national agencies. May assistance ang [Department of Social Welfare and Development ], livelihood program ang [Department of Trade and Industry] at pambili ng housing materials at relocation program naman ang [National Housing Authority] at iba pang ahensya… tulong-tulong lang tayo para matulungan kayong makabangon," he assured the community.

As part of the government's response efforts, DSWD provided separate financial assistance and food packs to fire victims. The DTI and NHA conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and housing assistance programs.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Health, and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor also handed out various forms of aid such as food, masks, face shields and essential goods.

"Papasok na ako sa trabaho nun nung may nagsabi na may sunog sa amin. Binalikan ko 'yung anak ko. Habang lumilikas kami, nalusot siya sa mainit na tubig. Akala ko wala lang pero nasunog na pala paa niya. Humihingi ako ng tulong para sa pampagamot niya," said Elmer Vellias, one of the beneficiaries who received immediate assistance from Go especially for their medical needs.

"Bilib ako kay Senador dahil pinaninindigan niya ang salita niya sa tao. Pinuntahan niya talaga kami. Maraming salamat sa mga tulong na ibinigay niya at ng mga ahensya. Salamat din para sa kanyang offer na ma-check up ang anak ko," he added.

Meanwhile, Go encouraged residents who wish to start anew outside Metro Manila to apply for the government's Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program. The program provides beneficiaries with the necessary forms of assistance so their families can successfully build a life in their home provinces.

Roll-outs are presently temporarily suspended due to the pandemic and will resume once conditions are deemed safe. Preparations however are underway for potential beneficiaries and host communities.

To further ensure their health and well-being in the meantime, Go urged all unvaccinated members of priority groups to not waste the opportunity to get their shots if they want to be better protected from the threats of the coronavirus.

"Natutuwa ako dahil pinabakunahan daw ni Congressman [John Reynald Tiangco] ang mga nasunugan. Maraming salamat sa pag-engganyo sa kanila. Please, magpabakuna na kayo kung pasok kayo sa priority list. Libre at pinaghirapan nating mabili ito. Huwag niyong hintaying dumating ang araw nagsisisi kayo dahil hindi kayo nagpabakuna," cautioned Go.

"Kung mahal niyo ang inyong pamilya, magpabakuna at sumunod tayo sa mga paalala ng gobyerno. Importante bumaba ang bilang ng mga kaso at makamtam natin ang herd immunity pagdating ng Pasko para sumigla muli ang ating ekonomiya," he added.

The Senator, who also serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, also offered assistance to residents with medical concerns. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Navotas City Hospital to conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together relevant government agencies that offer medical related assistance. The program, which Go launched in 2018 and subsequently legislated in 2019 through a bill he authored and sponsored in the Senate, has 124 operational centers and has assisted more than two million patients so far across the country.

Meanwhile, Go also recognized several officials for coming together to help the affected residents. He mentioned Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Greco Belgica; Representative JohnRay Tiangco; Mayor Tobias Tiangco; Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo; Councilors Gerardo Santiago, Edgardo Maño, Neil Cruz, Hansel Naval, Enrico Ginogino, Arvie Vicencio and Julia Monroy; Kapitan George So; Kagawad Gian So; and former councilor Steve Naval, among others, who were present during the activity.

To improve public service delivery, Go has supported the funding of several infrastructure projects in Navotas City including the construction and rehabilitation of the facilities of the Navotas Polytechnic College and the procurement of new ambulances, trucks and multi-cabs for the city government, among others.

"Maraming Pilipino ang nangangailangan ng tulong ngayon. Nasa gitna tayo ng krisis may mga nasunugan pang ganito… Nangako ako sa mga tao na pupuntahan ko sila saan man sa Pilipinas, basta kaya ng aking katawan. Nais kong makapagbigay ng kaunting tulong at solusyon sa kanilang mga problema at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa panahon ng kanilang pagdadalamhati," he ended.

Go also continues to push for the enactment of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act under Senate Bill No. 1832 which he authored and co-sponsored. It specifically provides for the acquisition of new fire equipment, expansion of the BFP's manpower, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others. (OSBG)

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