PASAY CITY -- Following the recent passage of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act last September 10, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his confidence that the Bureau will now be more prepared in addressing and preventing fire-related incidents.

On Tuesday, September 14, Senator Go had his team distribute assistance to 52 fire victims in Barangays Casinglot, Natumolan, and Rosario in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

In his video message, Go expressed his sympathy to the affected families and he reassured that after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11589 into law, the Bureau will now be more able in handling disaster and emergency responses.

Under RA 11589, the BFP is mandated to develop a modern fire program that includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, hiring more firefighters, and provisioning of specialized trainings, among others.

"Importante po na nabigyan ng suporta ang modernization ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection dahil napaka-importante ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila upang makapagligtas ng buhay," said Go.

"Halos linggo-linggo po akong bumababa sa mga nasusunugan. Nakikita ko po ang hirap ng ating mga kababayang nasunugan. Kahit isang bahay lang po ang masunog, damay po pati ang kapitbahay. Maraming pamilya ang apektado. Kaya po dapat lang na palakasin ang kapasidad ng BFP sa pagresponde sa sunog," he added.

At the Formation Center in Tagoloan, Go's team implemented necessary safety and health protocols to ensure public safety while they handed out relief items, such as financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, face shield, and vitamins to the beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture provided fresh vegetables.

To help them rebuild and recover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave additional financial assistance while the National Housing Authority provided housing assistance through their Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment assessed qualified recipients for their respective livelihood programs. Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered scholarship grants to potential beneficiaries.

More forms of assistance were then given by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

"Sa mga nasunugan naman po, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Magtulungan lang tayo. Ang gamit po'y nabibili, ang pera po'y kinikita. Subalit ang perang kinikita ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo, mga kababayan ko," Go remarked.

As the threat of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, Go urged the beneficiaries to remain vigilant and compliant to necessary health protocols against the coronavirus. On top of that, Go encouraged the public to take part in the national vaccination program to help the nation attain population protection, and herd immunity soon.

"Hindi po biro itong COVID-19, delikado po ito. Dahil mayroon pong mga nadiskubreng bagong variant tulad ng Delta variant, four times more contagious, mas nakakahawa," Go said.

"Ayaw ng gobyernong mag-lockdown o mag-ECQ dahil mahihirapan po tayong lahat. Subalit ginagawa po ito ng gobyerno upang protektahan ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Magtulungan lang po tayo mga kababayan ko," he added.

Being the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reached out to the beneficiaries, and their loved ones, with health concerns to visit any of the two Malasakit Centers in Northern Mindanao Medical Center and JR Borja General Hospital, both in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 aims to assist poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses by providing convenient access to medical assistance programs from various agencies, such as DSWD, PCSO, Department of Health, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Go, who serves as the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the concretion of road along Barangay Natumolan to Sitio Maribojoc to boost the economic development of the town.

The Senator also supported the acquisition of ambulance units in Balingoan, Cagayan de Oro City, Kinoguitan, and Libertad; flood control project in Gingoog City, Magsaysay, and Medina; water system projects and the improvement of Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Villanueva, and many others.

Concluding his remarks, Go extended his gratitude towards the local officials of Tagoloan for making certain that their community is well supported even in the height of crisis situations. (OSBG)

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