PASAY CITY -- In line with his commitment to assist vulnerable communities and provide relief where it is most needed, an outreach team of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go held an activity in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City on Thursday, September 30 for 49 families who were displaced by a recent fire incident on September 25.

"Alam kong hirap kayong lahat ngayon dahil sa pandemya tapos nawalan pa kayo ng bahay dahil sa nangyaring sunog," Go began in a video message.

"Gusto nako ipasabot nga di-a mi ug ang gobyerno nga nag atiman ug nagaserbisyo kaninyo. Andam mi nga mutabang karon na panahona labi na sa panahon karon ang katawhan naglisod," he added.

(Translation: "Gusto ko ipaalam sa inyo na nandito kami at ang gobyerno na nag-aaruga at nagseserbisyo sa inyo. Handa kaming tumulong, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na lahat ay naghihirap.")

Conducted at Brgy. Sambag 1 Gymnasium, Go's staff enforced necessary safety and health protocols while they distributed financial assistance, meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to the affected households. They also provided each family with financial assistance to further help them rebuild their homes.

There were also selected recipients of bicycles, new pairs of shoes, and computer tablets that their children may utilize to access educational materials they need for their classes.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out additional financial assistance while the National Housing Authority assessed beneficiaries for their housing assistance.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted an on-site assessment where determined beneficiaries will receive livelihood assistance and scholarship grants, respectively.

"Nagtitinda ako araw-araw pero nung pumasok ang pandemya, nawalan ako ng trabaho at hindi na ako makatinda ng maayos. Bukod pa doon ay mahirap din at dahil ako'y may nararamdaman na sa aking katawan pero lumalaban gawa nang gusto ko masuportahan ang pamilya ko," Arseno Tumandao, 62, shared in an interview.

"Sa ating mahal na Pangulo at Senador Bong Go, salamat po dahil hindi niyo kami pinabayaan. Nag-provide po kayo ng aming pangangailangan at inasikaso po kami agad. Salamat din po sa Diyos dahil wala pong namatay sa pamilya namin kahit kami ay natamaan ng sunog," he added.

Go continued his message as he reaffirmed his commitment to push for the passage of a measure that he principally authored and co-sponsored. Senate Bill No. 2393, otherwise known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Act of 2021, aims to provide Filipinos, particularly those displaced by natural and man-made disasters, a way to have their own homes.

As the health and well-being of Filipinos are part of his priorities, Go also encouraged those with health concerns to visit the nearest Malasakit Centers at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center or St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, both in the city, where they can conveniently access medical assistance programs from the government.

First established in VSMMC in 2018, the Malasakit Center program has assisted over two million patients nationwide and to date, there are now 141 centers established across the country.

Other Malasakit Centers in the province are available 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.

"Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Ginagawa po lahat ng gobyerno para po malampasan natin itong krisis na ito," Go appealed.

The Senator, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation and expansion of Brgy. Duljo Fatima's multi-purpose building as part of his continuous efforts to boost economic opportunities for the city.

He likewise supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madrilejos and Naga City.

Go then extended his gratitude to the local officials of Cebu City for their quick response to the incident to support affected residents, saying, "Salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo sa panahon ngayon. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Huwag n'yo pong pabayaan 'yung ating mga kababayang mahihirap po. Magtulungan lang po tayo."

To further help more struggling communities in the city, Go's outreach team previously conducted similar relief efforts for the women's sector, flood victims, tricycle drivers, and more fire victims from September 25 to 28.

Go 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.")

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