PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's team conducted another outreach program for families whose homes were burned down by a recent fire incident in Barangay Labangan in Cebu City on Saturday, September 25, as part of his pledge to provide help to crisis-affected communities during the pandemic.

Go stated in his video message that the Bureau of Fire Protection's modernization program is underway after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the BFP Modernization Act, on September 10.

Go emphasized the necessity of upgrading and enhancing the bureau's capacity in dealing with fire-related disasters in the country, as one of the administration's top concerns is the safety of Filipinos during natural and human-induced disasters.

Go authored and co-sponsored the said measure that mandates the BFP to implement a ten-year modernization program which will include the upgrading of fire equipment, recruitment of more firefighters, and provision of specialized training, among others.

"Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada bulan, pila ka komunidad ang atong ginabisita sa lain-laing lugar sa nasud para makapanghatag og tabang," Go expressed.

("Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng tulong,")

"Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya nag-file ako ng batas na pinirmahan na ito ni Pangulong Duterte para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection," he continued.

Go's personnel implemented necessary safety and health protocols as they conducted the activities at Don Sergio Memorial High School in Brgy. Labangon for 725 individuals and distributed relief, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes that they can use.

To further help rebuild their homes, representatives from the National Housing Authority gave housing assistance to each affected family. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority evaluated potential individuals who can take part in their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

As Chair of Senate Committee on Health, Go mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers in the city located at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and the St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital where they may conveniently apply for medical assistance.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that puts concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one office to help patients reduce their medical expenses to the lowest possible amount possible.

Other Malasakit Centers in the province are at Eversley Childs Sanitarium Hospital in Mandaue City, Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital-Carcar in Carcar City. There are now 141 established Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Senator also appealed to the families to get their complete doses of the vaccines against COVID-19 as he emphasized the importance of getting inoculated to increase their body's defenses against the virus.

"Kailangan lang po ang kooperasyon, kailangan din po ang disiplina ng bawat isa. Habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, ang importante pa rin po'y sumunod tayo sa health protocols - mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay," Go said.

"Darating naman po ang panahon na unti-unti na natin makamit ang ating herd immunity. Iyon po ang importante, 'yung herd immunity po, 'yung hindi na po kakalat ang sakit , 'yon po ang gusto nating makamtan, kaya patuloy po ang ating pagbabakuna," he added.

Being the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the rehabilitation and expansion of Brgy. Duljo Fatima's multi-purpose building to further help in the community's development.

He also supported infrastructure development throughout Cebu, including road improvements in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carcar City, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Naga City, Pinamungahan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; acquisition of ambulance units in Madrilejos and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan, and many more.

Concluding his message, Go expressed his gratitude towards the local government officials of Cebu City for making certain that their constituents are well-supported especially during these challenging times.

He then emphasized that his efforts to support and protect the welfare of Cebuanos will always be a priority as he works with their local leaders in improving the lives of fellow Bisaya communities.

"Mga kaigsuonan, mga Bisaya, daghang salamat sa inyong tabang sa amoa ni Presidente Duterte. Kami pud, mga Bisaya man pud mi, utang kabubut-on, dili kalimtan. Ug timan-i ninyo, mga Bisaya, pinalangga mo namo ni Presidente Duterte," he finally said.

(Translation: "Sa mga kapatid ko, mga Bisaya, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong sa amin ni Presidente Duterte. Kami rin, mga Bisaya rin kami, utang na loob, hindi nalilimutan. At tandaan ninyo, mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte.") (OSBG)

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